Pathways Health Centre For Children is celebrating a significant milestone Friday.
The agency's "Save the Therapeutic Pool" campaign has reached its $1.6 million goal, thanks to a $148,500 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Executive Director Alison Morrison said the pool is extremely important to the community, and she's thankful for the generous support.
"Today, to have us hitting that mark, to be able to celebrate in the community amidst a global pandemic is quite a celebration. So many thanks to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for the grant to support this. We led off the campaign (in November 2018) with $600,000 identified from the Rotary Club of Sarnia and there have been so many other grants and funds that have come through right down to piggy banks being emptied."
Members of Pathways Health Centre for Children and Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey in front of the centre's refurbished therapeutic pool. 11 December 2020. (BlackburnNews.com photo by Colin Gowdy)
Morrison said Lambton Public Health has completed its pool inspection, and she's hoping it will be open to the public again in February 2021.
"It serves children and adults as well," said Morrison. "We provide services to children who need it for therapeutic purposes, and rehabilitation purposes but it's also open to the public. It offers rehab and recovery programs and even community swimming lessons. It's used by over 11,000 visitors."
Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey offered his congratulations.
"The therapeutic pool is a tremendous asset for so many young people and families in our community," said Bailey. "I am extremely pleased that the Ontario Trillium Foundation has made this generous investment in the pool renewal campaign."
Repairs to the 30-year-old pool at the Murphy Road facility include mechanical and electrical upgrades, removal and replacement of pool tiles and grout, replacement of the pool deck and dressing room flooring, and a pool repaint.
Funds had been raised previously to reopen the pool in September 2018 following a leak, but the repairs at that time were only a short-term solution.
-With files from Colin Gowdy