LIMESTONE CO., Ala. (WAFF) – Athens-Limestone Hospital has plans to shut its Wellness Heart pool simply earlier than the brand new 12 months. The pool has been there for greater than 22 years, and shutting it has many Limestone County residents upset and combating to maintain it open.
Hospital president Traci Collins mentioned in a press release lower than 100 members use the pool regularly, whereas the price of sustaining and working the pool has grown prohibitive, saying new repairs and tools would price round $270,000. To some, the pool is their finest remedy.
“If I didn’t have the water, I wouldn’t be capable to do the workout routines that I do. It’s a day by day battle to maintain shifting due to the arthritis, my diabetes, and every thing like that and so taking away the pool from me would simply type of crush me,” mentioned member Grace Turner.
The hospital supplied members the choice to make use of the Madison Wellness Heart pool. George Canfield’s spouse had a serious stroke, and he says he can’t drive that far-off and go away her that lengthy.
“So with that in thoughts, it’s both Athens or it’s nothing for us,” mentioned Canfield.
Laura Lynn Kerner began a petition to maintain the pool open with a whole lot of signatures, and even put collectively a guide of individuals’s testimony on what the pool means to them.
“They only saved coming! It’s extra for our reaching than simply the folks that really go to the wellness heart, it extends to the household and the influence on the household,” mentioned Kerner.
And, these members should not giving up.
“I’m keen to assist fundraisers, I’m keen to assist any effort that the persons are keen to assist right here,” mentioned Canfield.
As of now, there aren’t any particular plans for what would occur to the pool area within the constructing when closed.
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