Indoor public swimming pool proposed for Shelburne County

After September, when the pool at Sherose Island closes, there is no access to swimming in the county. The closest indoor pools are in Yarmouth and Liverpool.

The Shelburne County Recreation Society, a group of close to 30 that has been meeting since January, has collected at least a dozen letters of support from organizations and is now approaching the five municipal councils.

During a recent presentation at the Town of Clark’s Harbour council meeting, researcher Cathy Holmes said benefits from an indoor pool apply to all age groups.

“At the elementary school level, where close to one in five children is overweight, a pool would offer an opportunity for swimming as part of the physical education curriculum,” she said.

According to a recent study of South Shore residents, 62 per cent of seniors do not get enough exercise to enjoy the health benefits of an active life style. An aquatic centre could benefit people with stiff and arthritic joints, as well as heart and stroke victims.

The society strongly feels that the time is right to pursue a new multi-purpose complex for the region because both provincial and federal governments have committed monies to recreation facilities. In the most recent provincial budget, the amount allotted for the Building Infrastructure Together was increased from $2 million to $7 million.

Representatives from the group are continuing to educate themselves about the nearest facilities and explore options.

Three representatives toured the Yarmouth YMCA, and there have been discussions with Seacoast Entertainment (former base in Shelburne) owner Jim Kendrick about the possibility of renovating and using their pool.

Holmes said there are many questions to be answered including cost, location, long-term operation costs, and the inclusion of an arena, or walking track, weight room, tennis court, aerobics room, squash court, climbing wall, and gymnasium, to serve more people and help pay for the operational costs of the pool.

The group is also open to partnerships and the possibility of a YMCA in the county.

The society is continuing to seek support for the project and hopes to launch a needs assessment study this fall.

The estimated $50,000 study is required by the province before it will provide funding towards a pool. The province will fund up to 50 per cent towards the study. The balance will be requested from the five municipal units in the county.

“We believe that this project could be a very positive one that the Shelburne area desperately needs, not only as a recreation facility to keep our population healthy, but as a beacon of hope that better days are coming,” said Holmes.

The Town of Clark’s Harbour supports the society in its goal for a needs assessment study.