News

Southlake dives into fundraising campaign for Whipper Watson Therapeutic Pool

Newmarket, Ontario - February 19, 2005 -

Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation will be entering a $1.8 million capital campaign to renovate and bring up to 2005 standards the Whipper Watson Therapeutic Pool. Built in 1976, thanks to the successful fundraising efforts of professional wrestler Whipper Billy Watson, the therapeutic pool is the only hospital-based facility of its kind in York Region.

According to Dan Carriere, President and CEO of Southlake Regional Health Centre, the availability of a therapeutic pool program in the hospital provides many benefits to patients. It is also a major contributor towards Southlake’s success at establishing an Ontario benchmark for hospital length of stay following total hip and knee replacement surgery.

“Water therapy is very helpful to people who are too weak or in too much pain to exercise effectively out of water,” states Dan Carriere. “Following hip and knee surgery, patients can move more freely in the warm water and perform important exercises that allows them to recover faster and to get home sooner.”

At close to 30-years old, the pool’s mechanical equipment, patient chair lift and change room facilities are at the end of their lifespan and require replacement and extensive renovations. Since closing in the summer of 2004, hospitalized patients no longer have access to the benefits of hydrotherapy and only a few of the highest risk patients are receiving rehabilitation pool therapy at a private facility in Newmarket.

“Our plans for the renovation include installing new equipment and building a special paediatric section to provide a therapeutic environment for children,” explains Dan Carriere.

The Whipper Watson Therapeutic Pool provides service to more than 500 new patients per week. Southlake has a unique volunteer-based therapy program, whereby 50 specially-trained volunteers provide therapy. This makes Southlake’s hydrotherapy program extremely cost-efficient and able to meet the needs of its growing and aging community.

Southlake has already started to receive donations from the community to support the Whipper Watson Pool Campaign. If you would like more information or to make a donation to the Whipper Watson Pool Campaign please contact the Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation at 905-836-7333.

For more information:
Neila Poscente
Director Marketing and Communications
905-836-7333 or 416-464-2449 (cell)
nposcente@southlakeregional.org

Back to NEWS page