Radville-Laurier Regional Park Pool received a boost to their fundraising efforts when they learned they’d be receiving $75,000.00 from Molson Canada.
Recreation Director, Brenna Bourassa enrolled the “new swimming pool” into the 2012 Molson Coors Community Cheer contest. She spread the word through social media, networking, word of mouth and email for people to “cheer” for Radville’s new pool on the Molson Coors website. There were over 100 communities vying for $1,000,000.00. Radville was one of the finalists with over 225 cheers. After adjudication from the Molson Board, 21 communities received funding.
“I received the call on Friday, March 16th, from Molson Canada,” said Brenna. “They told me Radville-Laurier Regional Park would be receiving $75,000.00 for the new pool project. I was ecstatic!”
Bourassa did her homework in making Radville a contender for funds. She filled out a detailed application form covering everything from the pool history, to partnership roles in the community, to primary objectives and volunteer opportunities.
The primary objectives were particularly interesting as they list the advantages and goals for the new facility. Here are just a few of the 22 objectives Bourassa listed on the application: Providing a centre to bring community members together for recreation, health promotion and social interaction; reducing energy and operating costs thus enabling reduced costs to users; building strong families and healthy communities; providing employment for local residents, more specifically youth; expanding aquatic programs and sport opportunities to include all individuals; supporting the Provincial Government’s mandate for a “Healthy Saskatchewan” and enabling all individuals to use the facilities, by including zero beach entry.
The current pool was built in 1967 as a Centennial project. Over the years the pool served the community well, offering a place to gather and “cool off” from summer’s heat. The pool has reached the end of its lifespan both structurally and mechanically.
When construction of the new pool is completed it will provide increased programming opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds, abilities, swimming and fitness levels. The zero beach entry will enable all students to participate in aquatic activities.
“The announcement could not have come at a better time,” states Bourassa. “The Swimming Pool Committee through the Radville-Laurier Regional Park just signed an agreement to provide a price quote and drawings for a new facility.”
The recreation centre and the swimming pool are the hub of the community – especially for youth. Fundraising efforts for a new pool facility have been supported by the Town of Radville, the R.M. of Laurier, the Board of the Radville-Laurier Regional Park, and several businesses and organizations. There have been many fundraising events such as street hockey tournaments, meals, raffles and auctions. Residents of Radville and surrounding communities have been very supportive of these events, volunteering time, effort and money to the cause.
“On behalf of the Radville-Laurier Regional Park Board, I would like to thank everyone who “cheered” on the Molson website,” says Brenna. “Your hard work, dedication and perseverance has helped Radville move one step closer to building a new swimming facility.”
“This funding has made a huge “splash” in our fundraising efforts by putting us at approximately $275,000.00 raised!”
“Let’s continue to bring our entire community closer together and work towards a common goal; building a new swimming facility.”
