With a cheque for a cool $10,000 in their pocket, it looks like the funding for the Cochrane and District Warm Water Therapy Pool Society’s pool at the new aquatic centre is off to a good start.
Presented on behalf of Heather Klimchuk, Legislative Assembly of Alberta’s minister of culture, the Community Initiative Program Grant is to be put towards the development of the warm water therapy pool.
“We’re delighted to receive it and use the money to further the goals of the society, which is to bring the best possible pool to Cochrane,” said Pat Graham, chair of the group.
While the group formed more than three years ago, it only became a registered society about two years ago. Currently, the society is striving to achieve the status of a charitable society.
Graham estimated the organization currently has about 80 members.
Since being guaranteed a spot by the Town of Cochrane in the proposed new aquatic centre, Graham said the society has been busy drafting designs for the pool.
“We’re doing our research,” said Graham. “We are looking at existing (structures) in cities across North America for ideas. Right now, we’re just in the planning stages.”
Although no plans have been finalized, she said she expects the pool will be relatively small, located away from the public pool to ensure privacy and will have it’s own aquatic instructors.
According to Graham, the pool will appeal to a variety of users, from those suffering from pain and recovering from trauma, to parents swimming with their babies, to athletes training or rehabbing injuries.
Ron Casey, MLA for Banff-Cochrane, will be presenting the cheque to Graham at the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre on Feb. 15. Casey was unable to be reached for a comment.
To learn more about the Cochrane and District Warm Water Therapy Pool Society, visit cochranewarmwatertherapy.org.
