Even as summer has come and gone, a swimming pool was on Town council’s mind on Tuesday, September 27th.
They used their meeting that evening set up a Pool Reserve Fund using funds bequeathed to them earlier in the year. Acting Director of Strategic Initiatives Kim Bulmer was able to publicly disclose the full figure they received for the first time.
The $331,278.94 now sitting in the fund came from the estate of Janet Wilson, a former teacher and vice principal with Renfrew Collegiate Institute. Bulmer noted that Wilson was an avid and passionate supporter of efforts to bring an aquatic centre to Renfrew, and that the money was giving with the express wish that it only be used to do so.
Councilor Sandi Heins remarked that it’s more good news for a potential swimming pool in town, adding to an already impressive total put together by Renfrew residents and the Ma-te-Way Aquatic Center Development Project.
Councilor and chair for the Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Committee Tom Sidney echoed the sentiment, adding that the move to make a specific reserve fund for a pool ensures the money will be used as Janet Wilson asked.
Between the Reserve Pool Fund, the MACD’s Ruth Burwell Fund, and a small pool of money raised by the Town over the years, there is now over a half million dollars earmarked to bring an aquatics centre to Renfrew.
(written by Kasey Egan)