The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka was joined by Barrie-Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin on Friday to celebrate the funding received last fall from the provincial government and the Ontario Trillium Foundation for the repair of the leisure pool at the Innisfil YMCA.
The $241,300 grant went toward the cost of the much-needed liner repair which had prevented the leisure pool from operating for an extended period of time last year. The cost to repair the liner of the leisure pool was approximately $260,000.
With the contributions received, repairs were completed, and the leisure pool reopened in the spring of 2022, increasing the availability of aquatics programs at the Innisfil YMCA.
“Our government is committed to enhancing the quality of life for the people of Simcoe County, and with the provided funding of over $200,000, the Innisfil YMCA leisure pool liner has been repaired and replaced allowing residents and families to once again enjoy swimming regularly and reaping all of the benefits that result in staying active,” said Khanjin.
“As a new mom, I am looking forward to taking my son to the Innisfil YMCA to learn how to swim. The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka has really helped lift up the community when it comes to sports and recreation, and we need to continue to focus on that holistic part of health which benefits both our mental and physical well-being," the MPP added.
The Innisfil YMCA has an aquatics centre with a six-lane, 25-metre lap pool and a fully accessible leisure pool. Innisfil and the surrounding communities have been enjoying the leisure pool at the Innisfil Y since 2008.
The Innisfil YMCA teaches about 700 kids how to swim every year. However, with the leisure pool closed, the YMCA could only offer half-capacity aquatics programming.
“Swimming has many health benefits for everyone. The community has missed the open swims, community swims, swim lessons, and accessibility of the Innisfil YMCA leisure pool," said Ryan Purdy, general manager at the Innisfil YMCA. “With the financial effects of closures during the pandemic, this repair would not have been possible without the Ontario Trillium Foundation's support. The YMCA is very grateful to have received this funding to support the reopening of the leisure pool and bring back important aquatics programs that are vital to our community."
"Our pools are an important part of what we do to support health and wellness in our communities," said Jill Tettmann, YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka CEO. “Our YMCA is proud to provide this important service in Innisfil. This repair is essential to the YMCA continuing to serve the community for many years to come. We are grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Government of Ontario for their support of the YMCA and its programs."
"Another big part of being a water community is of course water safety and swimming lessons," said Khanjin.
Now that the leisure pool has reopened, the Innisfil YMCA offers aquatics programming, including Swim Lessons, Volunteer Lifeguard Club, Low Sensory Swim Lessons, and Family Swim to Survive.
Find out more about the programs offered at the Innisfil YMCA by visiting here.
