Through a collaborative effort, the Jeffersonville Community Pool has added an important new feature that will make a difference for several children this summer.
Thanks to money that was set aside by Susan DeWitt for the express purpose of helping children under the age of 18 who require special medical needs, the Jeffersonville Pool was able to add a new chair lift. The lift is used to help those unable to get into the pool by themselves and replaces the old lift which has broken down. This was all made possible by the efforts of Sharon Gibbs at Help Me Grow, the Fayette County Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees (which is charge of handling the money left by DeWitt), and the pool that required this feature in order to serve even more children from the area.
According to Chelsie Hornsby, director of marketing and foundation at FCMH, five children have made or will make use of this lift from the Jeffersonville area. FCMH officials said this effort will be very beneficial and it is a great use of the money left by DeWitt. They said they hope by showing the community that the pool is able to serve handicapped children, that parents will then feel more comfortable bringing their children to the pool.
“It is very humbling to be able to get this thanks to everyone working together from the hospital, Sharon Gibbs with Help Me Grow and us here at the pool,” Sue Burnside, chairperson of recreation for the village, said. “When I see the kids use the lift it almost brings tears to my eyes. It was something that we wanted and I had called Sharon, and she got the ball rolling. I called her about the second week in June and I told her that I didn’t know where to go, but we have handicapped kids and didn’t have a way to really get them in the pool to enjoy it. I would say within about three hours she called me back asking what we wanted and within three days we had the lift.”
The pool, located at 42 Colonial Drive in Jeffersonville, is open Monday through Saturday from 12 to 7 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 until 7 p.m. Daily admission is $4 and a membership for a family is $70 plus $10 for each additional person. Additionally, the pool offers concessions of all varieties from popcorn to hot dogs and an assortment of drinks.
Several events have also been scheduled for the rest of the season. During the week of the fair, July 20-24, the pool will be changing the schedule to be open from noon to 5 p.m., with admission prices of $2 with the donation of four cans of food ($4 without cans). This food will be donated to the Jeffersonville United Methodist Church food pantry. The pool will resume normal hours of operation on Saturday, July 25.
On July 31, the pool will be holding a party for all of those who have helped to keep the facility open. This event is by invitation only, and several organizations will be invited to enjoy an evening at the pool with delicious food being provided. The party will begin at 7 p.m. and continue until 10 p.m.
Finally, the c0-managers, Tracey Rankin-Coe and Sharon McCarty, will hold a community wide pool party for the end of the season. This event will be held on Aug. 22 from 6 to 10 p.m. and will include a D.J. to entertain the crowd. Admission to this event is half-price. The final day to enjoy the pool this year will be on Aug. 23 until 6 p.m.
The entire community is encouraged to enjoy the pool and attend the final event.
