Pool renovations completed at Sarnia Pathways Center for Children

The therapeutic pool at Sarnia’s Pathways Health Center for Children has reopened following the final phase of an extensive rebuilding and renovation project.

Article content

The $1-million second phase of the work began in January and included upgrading change rooms and a lobby with wider doorways and automated fixtures, improved flow, additional showers, new flooring, lighting and surfaces.

Article content

The pool, originally opened in 1986, is Sarnia’s only therapeutic pool, Pathways said.

“The two oldest changerooms, which were part of the original pool, basically were taken down to the bare walls,” said Tim Bechard, who looks after community and corporate partnerships for Pathways. “They’ve got new shower areas, new shower heads, new flooring.”

A second heating and ventilation unit also was installed, Bechard said.

“We had to take the floor out in some of the areas to take the concrete out to put in new piping,” he said.

Article content

The Federal Economic Development Agency of Southern Ontario contributed about $750,000 to the project. The balance came from fundraising and reserves, Bechard said.

The pool, which closed when the second phase began in January, reopened Sept. 18.

“People are really happy to see that it’s up and running again,” Bechard said.

The first phase of renovations to the pool was completed in December 2020 after a successful $1.6-million Save the Pathways Pool community capital fundraising campaign. The effort began after a leak was found in the more than 30-year-old facility.

That initial phase included mechanical and electrical upgrades allowing for fully automated filtration, sterilization and chemical addition systems, [;us new tiles and grout, a new pool deck and repainting of the pool room.

Article content

“It is good indeed to see splashing return to the pool, and swimmers returning to a fully upgraded and renovated environment,” Pathways chief executive Alison Morrison said in a release. “The experience of swimmers will be improved through new accessibility features and an entire refresh, and will position the therapeutic pool to remain a community resource for years to come.”

The pool was used by more than 800 children and young adults with disabilities annually, before the renovations and pandemic restrictions, and nearly 10,000 community members.

The pool relies on user fees and community donations to support its operation. For more about pool programs, visit pathwayscentre.org.

Pathways provided therapy and other services last year for more than 4,000 children and youth with physical, developmental and communication needs.

Pathways, at 1240 Murphy Rd., is holding a public open house at the pool Friday Oct. 27, from 2:30 to 5:30 pm

[email protected]

Article content