Whipper Watson Therapeutic Pool

The Whipper Watson Legacy

In the early 1970's, World Heavyweight Champion wrestler Whipper 'Billy' Watson, suffered serious knee and leg injuries as a result of a car accident. He had long weeks and months of his in-patient rehabilitation at Southlake and learned that a therapeutic pool would help speed up his recovery. So, he spearheaded a community campaign to build and equip one of the first therapeutic pools in Ontario and under his stewardship, the Whipper Watson Therapeutic Pool was built. When he left the hospital he began his mission to build a pool. He went to the provincial government all the way to the top and sat down with then premier Bill Davis and said "there are children and adults north of Toronto who are in need of rehabilitation facilities. I want to raise money for a therapeutic pool in Newmarket". Under the stewardship of Whipper Watson, the campaign began.

The campaign was wildly successful as the community embraced the cause. The culmination was a telethon sponsored by CKVR in Barrie. Half way through, Whipper realized they had reached their goal and the telethon had hours to run. The $250,000 goal to build the pool was surpassed by several hundred thousand dollars and the Whipper Watson Rehabilitative Foundation was formed.

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Whipper Watson Challenge

In only 14 months, this community raised $1.8 million required to renovate and re-equip the Whipper Watson Therapeutic Pool.  Under the very able leadership of Campaign Chair, Joe Persechini, this community responded enthusiastically to the challenge. Renovations to the pool began in the spring of 2006 and the pool will re-open in December 2006.  Our fabulous new Pool will require maintenance on an ongoing basis.  To ensure that the Pool is always open and available to meet our patients’ needs.

For further information contact
Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation at (905) 836 7333

NOTE: The Whipper Watson Therapeutic Pool is used for therapeutic purposes only to assist patients in their rehabilitation process.  The pool is not open to the general public for swimming.

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