The new swimming pool planned for the town of Langenburg is setting July of 2021 as the target date to open the aquatic facility. After the Langenburg swimming pool closes its doors in August of 2020, demolition is planned to get the process started. These dates can only happen if the remaining amount can be fundraised. A delegation of volunteers recently reported that so far fundraising and donations have reached just under $1.2 million committed so far. The total projected cost of $1.75 million is not too far off.
According to Walk Back in Time – A History of Langenburg & District, A Celebrate Saskatchewan Project, “The Swimming Pool Committee originated in 1972 when, after an initial canvass by the B.P.O Elks indicated the desire for a pool, a committee of twenty community-minded volunteers activated money-making projects to raise $14,000.00 to start construction. Chairman was Clare Fandrey, secretary Mrs. Ken Orser, and treasurer Thema Hartung. Construction started in April 1973. Farmers donated bales of hay for frost protection. By the time the pool opened in June of that year, $18,000.00 had been raised by donations, ticket sales, beer gardens and other functions. That first year over 300 swimmers received swimming instruction. The pool, at a total cost of $42,000, was completely paid for by August, 1975.”
Kim Wondrasek, chairperson of the New Swimming Pool Committee gave an update on their progress and continually praised the community effort behind the project.
The committee is comprised of numerous volunteers who helped fundraise for the project.
In order to build the new Langenburg Central School, there was an amount allocated in “Phase B” for a swimming pool. Phase “A” was to build the school, a PAA (Practical and Applied Arts) lab, fitness center and an expanded gymnasium which was completed in 2016. Since plans were being drawn up at the time for the school, the idea was thought of to maximize the effort taking place. Since funds were already being put into things like showers, change rooms and washrooms for the school, it was efficient to hope that the facilities could share their use with the public. On top of the detail of running out of room, there were a multitude of secondary details that made Phase “B” difficult. In the end, it was decided the new swimming pool would eventually be built where the current one is located.
The Town of Langenburg, RM of Langenburg and its citizens and corporations raised $1.5 million altogether to build LCS, and the committee decided the Phase “B” portion would still go to its intended allocation of a recreational facility. A swimming pool meets education curriculum outcomes in multiple subject areas. The location is close enough to be utilized by the students of LCS to meet their education goals.
The Langenburg and District School Project (LDSP) organized the fundraising and had discussions about the next step after deciding the location would not be effective. Since the money was raised for Phase “B”, it was only right to continue the donation in that direction going toward the pool.
The Town of Langenburg has already committed $300 000 that came from taxpayers base tax.
The New Swimming Pool Committee raised $1.2 million so far. All the funds are raised for the pool; the remaining funds go toward the building. The group hopes the tender they plan on submitting within the next month comes in less costly than their fundraised total, but they are aiming to meet their goal. Fundraising efforts continue with a magician coming in on Valentines Day as well as a raffle for a ½ beef with the draw in March. Laff & Linger is a huge event the group and L&L Committee is planning and hopes it is a success.
There are more notes on the fundraising efforts of the New Swimming Pool committee in the council notes section discussing Langenburg’s meeting on January 21st. Look to the article referring to the Council notes provided by our new Local Journalism Initiative reporter, Gary Horseman.
R.M. Of Langenburg is committing $50,000 and up to $25,000 of matching donations.
$8500 recently came from a Family and Friends donation for a total of $23,000 thus far from FFF. The Town of Langenburg committed 5 years of base tax; this is on top of the base tax amount and the $300,000 that just came from the new school committee.
Talking about the members involved in the fundraising groups, Kim said, “Time, effort, monetary value, they all counted…Some of us are better at meetings and doing corporate fundraising, and some of us are better rallying support. None are more important than others.”
Through the effort of the entire community, a new facility could arise sooner than later for the residents of Langenburg and area to enjoy.