Lifeguards at the new Jayman Built Aquatic Centre will be able to respond more quickly to heart-stopping emergencies after the pool was awarded one of 19 annual grants from the Bow RiversEdge Campground Society.
General manager Robin Mitchell said Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre currently has three automated external defibrillators (AEDs) — a portable electronic diagnostic tool that helps deliver emergency aid of a person suffering heart trouble.
Two of the user-friendly AEDs are located in common areas, with the third in the new curling rink area.
But since the new water-fun park opened in late July, Mitchell said as many as 15,000 people have been using the new facility every month – prompting officials to realize the need for a fourth potentially life-saving machine as close as possible to the pool.
“Just given the volume of people coming through … Having one right there so the guards can grab it goes a long way to safety for our patrons. It would save on any time going to get it,” said Mitchell. “They’ve shown to save lives time and time again.”
To help facilitate the cost, which runs between $1,500 and $2,000, the centre decided to apply for an annual grant from the Bow RiversEdge Campground Society – a non-profit organization run jointly by the town, Rocky View County, the Cochrane Lions Club and the Rotary Club.
Last week, Mitchell and his staff was excited to learn their request for money to pay for an AED will be granted, along with asks from 18 other organizations like the Helping Hands Society, Extreme Cowboy, and more. In total, more than approximately $140,000 in funding was awarded this year from BRECS – including a $50,000 to Rock the Waves, the town-led fundraising campaign for the new pool.
Tanya Galliott, Bow West regional coordinator for Junior Achievement Alberta, said she was thrilled with their $2,500 grant.
“We couldn’t do it without them,” said Galliott, adding the group has received money from the society for the last five years to help put on its World of Choices Career Forum.
The one-day workshop connects 125 high school students from the area with up to 30 career mentors for discussions about a variety of professional options. The next forum takes place in March 2018 at the Cochrane RancheHouse.
“These kids have an opportunity to sit down and have conversations … and they get to ask questions and they get to talk to real people,” she said. “Without BREC we really couldn’t make that happen … We’re a charity and we need all that support.”
2017 Bow RiversEdge Campground Society Grant Recipients
Bethany Family Council
Boys & Girls Club
CEO Rescue in the Rockies
Cochrane & Area Humane Society
Cochrane & Area Victim Services
Cochrane Activettes
Cochrane BMX Association
Cochrane Ringette Association
Cochrane Rotary Youth Talent Festival
Cochrane Skating Club
Cochrane Society for Housing Options
Extreme Cowboy
Helping Hands Society
Junior Achievement Southern Alberta
Lions Cochrane Event Centre Upgrade
Lions Youth Camp
Mitford Middle School
Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre
Town of Cochrane Aquatic Curling and Multisport Facility
