The New Churchbridge Swimming Pool Project has been selected as a semifinalist in a national fundraising competition, but it is now seeking the support of others to move to the finals.
The Churchbridge project is one of 64 selected from across Canada to be named semifinalists in the $1 million Molson Coors Community Cheer funding program.
To move to the final stage the swimming pool project must now receive 225 "Cheers" from supporters both near and far. They can cheer by going to the contest's website www.ourcommunitycheer.com, scrolling down to the New Churchbridge Swimming Pool Project page and following the registration guidelines. There's no cost to do so, however you can only cheer once, and you must be of legal drinking age.
The cheering began last Tuesday and within three days the Churchbridge project had received over 100 cheers, putting it well on its way towards getting the required 225. The deadline for submitting a cheer is February 17.
If the Churchbridge project receives 225 cheers and is selected to receive funding, Molson Coors could donate up to $20,000 towards the construction of the town's $1.1 million swimming pool which will replace a badly deteriorated 40-year-old pool.
The pool fundraising campaign has been very successful to this point, raising nearly $800,000 in a little over three years. Its biggest contribution has been a $300,000 recreational infrastructure grant from the provincial government. Although several requests have been submitted for federal funding the project has not received a single dollar from the federal government even though the swimming pool has been the host site of Canada Day celebrations in the community for over two decades.
Nearly $500,000 has been raised locally, thanks to the support of individuals, businesses, and organizations. Its fundraising efforts continue with a major gala scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 4.
Construction on the new pool by Western Recreation of Winnipeg, began last July, carried through until November and is set to begin again in early spring with the goal of holding its official opening in July as part of Churchbridge's 125th anniversary celebrations.
Anyone wishing to donate to the project can do so by sending it to Box 223, Churchbridge, SK. S0A 0M0. Tax receipts will be issued by the Town of Churchbridge for any donations greater than $20.
