The wellness pool at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital will be undergoing a face-lift this year due to the contributions of the Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital Foundation.

The foundation will provide the funding for the needed repairs.

“After 12 years the pool is due for some needed repairs of the piping systems, heaters, tiling and painting,” said Jeannette Hendrick, executive director of the foundation. “The foundation will be providing the funding for these repairs.”

Groundbreaking on the original pool began in 2000 when Surry Community College and other groups came to the hospital asking for a pool. More than 2,200 individuals had been a part of Surry Community College’s program that gave them access to an indoor pool from 1992-1996. The use of the pool was donated by a private citizen. Upon this donor’s death, the pool was no longer available to the program.

In an agreement between SCC and HCMH, the college agreed to build the pool with the foundation agreeing to provide the maintenance.

“The original decision to provide a wellness pool for the community was not an easy one at the time, but the Board of Trustees at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital decided to move forward,” Hendrick said. “The pool benefits not only individuals who are frail, have physical and mental disabilities, but people just looking for a way to exercise, get a cardio workout, and work on disease prevention. Many doctors recommend pool therapy for all sorts of reasons. Class members continue to be thrilled to have this service available. The project continues to run smoothly with many wonderful and heartwarming comments from pool participants.”

“When the pool was built, the original cost was $954,121.77,” Hendrick said. “The pool is 5,245 square feet and has both men’s and women’s changing/shower rooms. The pool is located in the outpatient rehabilitation building.”

The original estimate of repairs was upward of $250,000, but after close inspection of the pool, the estimated cost came in much lower at $140,480.

“Our maintenance department at the hospital is one of the finest,” Hendrick said. “Their continued efforts to make our hospital and its departments run smoothly save countless monies annually. The maintenance performed on the pool over the past 12 years contributed to the savings in repair dollars,” she said. “Our maintenance and dietary departments are our unsung heroes at the hospital; they both do a wonderful job.”

“Aquatic exercise classes are offered Monday through Friday, and the schedule can be obtained by contacting Surry Community College,” Hendrick said. “The class cost is $65 for eight weeks, which are 24 one-hour sessions.” For more information, call 336-386-3269.

The wellness pool isn’t the foundation’s only project.

“The foundation continues to collect on the capital campaign for the new $50 million tower, from pledges made to be paid over a number of years,” Hendrick said. “We have $3,957,272 paid in so far. The community support for Hugh Chatham Memorial is excellent. The passion for the hospital continues to amaze me. On average, the foundation raises around $500,000 annually through our different events.

“The step by step and our miracle life wall as well as our wall at the oncology department helps to contribute to our foundation as well as the annual wine auction and golf tournament. This year’s wine auction will be held on May 17 at the Old Beau Country Club,” she said. “This will be the last year at Old Beau because we have plans to hold the auction at the Liberty Theatre in downtown Elkin next year after its opening. Our annual golf tournament will be held on August 15 at Cedarbrook Country Club. We’re looking forward to a prosperous year.”