TUESDAY
S I N C E
JULY 30, 2013
1 8 9 5 Orioles sweep Cranbrook, head for provincials
Vol. 118, Issue 118
105
$
Page 11
INCLUDING G.S.T.
PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
Skool-Aid campaign helps take bite out of school costs BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
VALERIE ROSSI PHOTO
Sixteen-year-old Chris Tremblay (background) and Jill Kinahan, 19, cleaned the skinners at the Warfield Centennial Pool Monday, prior to the long-overdue opening of the outdoor facility. Users were welcomed with a free swim Monday, when pool temperatures were cooler than regular, and invited back for its official launch today.
Warfield pool finally open for business BY VALERIE ROSSI Times Staff
The water may have been cool but Warfield residents got to take their first dip this summer into the Centennial Pool Monday. Staff was prepping the outdoor pool for a free swim then, prior to launching the longawaited opening with a pool party today. “I'm really excited,” pool manager Christina Lupieri, 23, said Monday. “It's awesome that it's finally opening, we've been waiting for this for a really long time.” The pool that was scheduled to open June 5 is making up for lost time with extending its hours into early fall, closing Sept. 14. Work has been slow moving since late April, when village works crews began stripping off the old tiles in anticipation of a full
resurfacing of the 46-year-old pool. “People have actually been really patient and I've really been making a huge effort to educate them as much as possible,” said Lupieri. “We haven't had too many people really mad, everyone is disappointed but I mean, we're all disappointed that the pool hasn't been open.” Two lesson sets and a couple “fun days” were cancelled, along with community rentals, because of the prolonged construction. Lupieri has had to rewrite the facility's brochure about eight times, one of the many administrative tasks she's acquired. The manager became a community liaison over the course of the construction, giving out her cell phone as a contact for those looking for more information. She's pleased that the anticipation is over and that
she'll finally be able to provide hours promised to her 11 employees. The last two weeks, staff has picked up part-time work cleaning and painting the grounds but prior to that many had to look for more work or get by with less money in their pockets. Senior life guard Britanny Mock, 19, thankfully was employed at the Trail Aquatic and Leisure Centre before this summer job popped up and was able to secure some hours there over the duration of renovations. “We're making sure the pool chemicals are balanced, that's our main (goal), and we have our Dolphin (robotic cleaner) in getting the bottom of the pool clean and then we're hosing and sweeping around the deck See GAMES, Page 3
It takes a community to raise a child, and with this mantra in hand, the Skool-Aid program is launching its fourth year in providing school supplies to Greater Trail children in low-income families. The Skool-Aid initiative began as a Catholic based volunteer-run effort and has grown into a community supported program, supplying kids with everything from crayons to computer paper. With the average cost of school supplies ranging from $50 to $70, not including gym strip or back pack, a return to school can incur costs that some families will struggle to pay. This year, Skool-Aid raised $8,000, almost half received through people in the community. “We have a loyal group of individuals who consistently give to our program,” said organizer Louise McEwan. “It really does illustrate how this program touches people and how they want to help kids reach their potential.” In addition, Skool-Aid received $1,000 from Teck Trail Operations; $2,000 from BC Hydro Employees Community Services Fund; $700 LeRoi Community Foundation; and $500 from the Kiwanis. This year, the program will provide supplies to 140 students, although that number may grow by September. “The need is quite spread out and it is quite possible we will get more requests,” she said. “We help any child in any grade in any school in the Greater Trail area.” And, with the school district See NEW, Page 3
Contact the Times: Phone: FineLine250-368-8551 Technologies 62937 Index 9 Fax:JN250-368-8550 80% 1.5 BWR NU Newsroom: 250-364-1242 Canada Post, Contract number 42068012
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