Forty years after the first pool was opened, and less than three years after fundraising for a new one began, construction has started on a new $1.1 million swimming pool for Churchbridge and area.
The official sod turning, marking the start of construction on the new swimming facility, took place this July 22.
With workers busily staking out the construction site just a short distance away, two members of the community were given the honour of officially getting the major undertaking underway. Joy Tatton was on hand for the sod turning for the first pool which opened in 1971 and was asked to be part of those same ceremonies in 2011. She has been a member of the swimming pool operating committee for most of its 40 years, and still regularly swims even at the age of 80 plus.
Representing the younger generations who will be making good use of the new pool through the coming decades was young Paige Debnam, assisted by her big sister Chelsea. Among those on hand for the ceremonies was Bob Bjornerud, MLA for Melville-Saltcoats and Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture, who played a pivotal role in the project when he discovered $300,000 of previously committed provincial recreational infrastructure funding which had not been spent, and strongly lobbied to have it designated to the new Churchbridge pool project.
Also present were Matt Matcyk, Deputy Mayor of Churchbridge, and Reeve Neil Mehrer of the RM of Churchbridge.
To loud applause from the large crowd on hand for the program, two additional major funding announcements were made.
Chandra Pratt, Human Resources Manager at Mosaic Potash Esterhazy, announced Mosaic's committeeman of $50,000 to the new pool project over five years. That's in addition to the funds allocated to the project through the employee matching grant program through which Mosaic matches, dollar for dollar, funds contributed by its employees to the new pool through the local donor's choice campaign.
Ron Irvine, Systems Manager, Yorkton District, for Access Com-munications, announced that the Churchbridge pool project had been selected to receive a $10,000 donation from the Access Communications Children's Fund which supports youth-based, not-for-profit organizations and charities across the province.
With those latest contributions the New Churchbridge Swimming Pool Project has raised over $715,000 since it was launched in the fall of 2008. MC for the program, Valerie Entz, points out that one of its initial fundraising ideas called "The 100" is nearing its objective. Some 83 individuals and families have donated $1,000 each to the new pool with the objective of finally getting 100, and raising an impressive base of $100,000. All those who have contributed will be permanently recognized when the pool building is completed.
Another important contribution that gave the fundraising drive immediate momentum was a pledge by the Churchbridge Lions Club of $50,000 over five years and to date over $30,000 of that amount has been turned over to the committee. Club president Cal Swanson told the audience that the club is strongly committed to seeing the project come to a successful completion because of its benefits to the town and its residents.
The new pool will offer two major improvements for those using it. It will feature a beach entrance making it easily accessible to everyone including the disabled and the elderly who have a difficult time getting into and out of our current pool via steel, wallside steps. The other advantage is that it will be situated in a new location. The current pool is located on the south side of the town, making it necessary for the majority of the town's residents to cross the very busy Yellowhead Highway to get to it. The new pool will be located north of the highway, directly adjacent to the Churchbridge Public School, the Churchbridge Daycare Co-operative, the Churchbridge Fitness Centre and the Heritage Manor Seniors' Units, all of which offer new opportunities for swimming / fitness programs.
Chairperson of the building committee, Gaylene Putland, provided a quick update on the pool plans and schedule. Digging of the pool was set to begin immediately and the pool is expected to be completed by mid-summer, 2012, which will coincide with the 125th anniversary of the town's settlement.
