Make a splash: final funds for Carenne hydrotherapy pool

Member MP Paul Toole dropped into the school yesterday to announce the government would match the $142,000 the community raised for the spa, dollar for dollar.

“We are very excited. We have been working towards this for over a year now,” principal Neil Moon said. 

“Once I let staff know, you could hear the cheers from around the school as the news spread.”

Mr Moon said those at the school had been blown away by how much public support they had received for the hydrotherapy spa. 

Donations from the Bathurst Macquarie Lions Club, Bathurst Bulldogs, the V8 Ball and many other community groups, organisations and members of the public helped the school raise $142,000 for the spa. 

Funding from the Department of Education and Communities joint funding for schools program will bring the total to $284,000.

Mr Toole said a hydrotherapy spa was a much-needed facility for the school.

“It is a project I have lobbied the Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli about for months now. It’s exciting that we will fund 50 per cent of the project,” he said. 

“This is a fantastic school, a very special school, with very committed staff who provide specialist care and ensure students are well supported.”

Mr Toole also congratulated the school and wider community for their fundraising efforts.

“The school has done an incredible job funding 50 per cent of the project and I congratulate the hard work of the community and staff,” he said.

“It is moments like this and the benefits we see from a project like this that make me proud to be a local member.”

Mr Moon said the school would now complete plans for the spa and put out tenders for works to install it in a new enclosed area. 

Carenne teacher, parent and member of the hydrotherapy committee Janelle Kemp was ecstatic when she heard the news.

“It will have amazing benefits for students, especially for students who are wheelchair-bound and for students who have cerebral palsy who suffer muscle tightness, as it provides instant relief,” she said.

She said the spa would also improve circulation, increase muscle tone, boost the body’s immune system and improve relaxation. 

Mrs Kemp said the students got great joy from being in the water. 

“Trying to transport six kids in a wheelchair to a pool is a nightmare, so this is just incredible,” she said.

Mrs Kemp said most special needs schools were now built with hydrotherapy pools or spas.

“This will help keep the school up to speed.” 

She thanked the whole community for getting behind the project and also thanked Mr Toole for pushing for state government funding.