Pool is an invaluable asset
Community benefits from Northside facility’s staff, programs
It’s great to see the Northside Community Pool open for the fall season and the coming year, especially since there was so much construction at Indian Beach this summer.
The pool was renovated during its summer closure and now has a full slate of board members, supervisors, lifeguards and instructors.
The pool was established in 1978 with Dr. Wayne Bell as chair of the board. The current board chair is Jeff MacNeil, who took over from longstanding chair Charlie MacLean in 2013.
Besides MacNeil, the board includes Peter Sexton as vicechair and Ruth Gardiner, a board member from day one, as secretary/treasurer. Other board members are Laura MacLean, Terry Jessome, Bill Boutilier, Jason Finney, Allan MacDougall, Laura Power and Michelle Robinson.
“In a nutshell, I, and many other members of the board became associated with the pool when we were younger through the learn to swim and lifesaving programs,” said MacNeil. “For many of us it was our first job and it is great to be able to give back to such an important facility. As chair, I am able to stay connected with a facility that has helped so many people over the years.”
Pat MacLean is the aquatic director and the supervisors are Gena MacLean, Kathleen Dooley, Taylor Penny and Tanya Gouthro.
The lifeguards and instructors are Jillian Pero, Calum MacSween, Rachael Bonnar, Garrett Whittle, Matthew Brennick, Lucas Penny, Katherine Thompson, Sarah MacKeigan, Ainslie MacDonald, Maisie Symes, Mackenzie Bachmann, Christopher Dooley, Evan Milligan and Josh Ordonez.
For a period of time, Leigh Johnson was examiner for the life saving courses.
Some of the programs offered include learn to swim, aquafitness, lane swims, public swims, family swims and adult public swims, water walkers, parent and tot, adult noon and junior lifeguard club. The Dorados swim club members use the pool twice a week, Munro Academy students are there once a week and Special Olympians also use the facility.
“My role as aquatic director is to direct all swimming activities and make sure they are running smoothly,” said MacLean.
He is involved in program development to foster a good relationship between the pool and the community. He is in charge of the instructors and lifeguards while mentoring and providing leadership. He must also make sure a clean environment is maintained.
“I would like to encourage parents to have their children frequent the parent and tot program,” he added.
Recently some frequent swimmers weighed in on the benefits of the pool.
Percy Dunphy celebrated his 94th birthday on Oct. 3. He said, “I come to the pool daily and will soon stop diving off the board.”
Dr. Paul Hickey’s grandson, Bronsen, exclaimed, “I love the pool because it’s so wet.”
Barry Cooke is a regular on Saturday mornings, and Dr. Peter Poulos was “swimming like a fish” in the fast lane.
So, as you can see, the Northside Community Pool is a going concern and those involved take their work seriously.
The pool schedule is available at the facility and online at www.northsidecommunitypool.ca.
The pool is located at 82 Memorial Dr. next to Memorial Composite High School, and can be reached at 902-736-1211.