Old Rochester Regional High School students may be donning bathing suits next winter when the school hopes to add a varsity co-ed swim team to the school’s sports offerings.

“We know we’re losing students to the lack of a swim program,” said Peter Johnson, a member of a parent group advocating for the new team.

After meeting with Principal Michael Devoll and Athletic Director Bill Tilden, the parents brought their request to the ORR School Committee on Wednesday, June 13.

“Swimming has gained an incredible amount of popularity,” Johnson told the committee.

He noted that 40 Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester youth currently participate in the Wareham YMCA swim program.

Area students also swim in programs at the Cape Cod Swim Club and the New Bedford YMCA.

Tilden said knowing there is a team at ORR could also boost interest in swimming for younger students.

“We have retarded the growth of swim teams. I think we will see a jump at the youth level,” said Tilden.

The parents also want to slow the drain of committed swimmers who are being lured to schools with established swim teams, such as Tabor Academy and Bishop Stang High School.

“That to me is the draw [of the new team], losing a lot of competitive students to Bishop Stang and other schools to swimming,” said Devoll.

Parent Chrissi Gelson said there is already interest.

An unofficial count revealed 30 swimmers in the High School who are interested in the team, and parents speculated that many more would join if the school added the sport.

“When they first came to me, I had some serious reservations,” Tilden said.

“I’m a duck out of water when it comes to swim teams, but there are a lot more benefits to what we heard already,” he said.

One benefit, he said, could be helping injured athletes.

Although Devoll supports the new program, he said he had reservations over costs.

“My greatest concern was that we could be adding our most expensive sport,” Devoll said.

The financial feasibility of starting a new team was also a big question for the school committee, as the team must be self-funded by the fall.

After researching the cost of renting lanes at the Wareham YMCA pool, parents estimated a cost of $7,500 would be needed for the winter session, which would kick off after Thanksgiving.

Parents agreed to raise the amount by October 1 or potentially face returning donations.

Superintendent Doug White also warned that outside funding might be necessary for a while.

“I don’t want to give any false hope,” he said. “I’m very hopeful the economy will turn around, but currently our budgets haven’t supported everything.”

The committee approved the new team unanimously.

Tilden said it will now go to the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association for approval.