A name has been chosen for the new gym and swimming pool in Saugeen Shores.
Town council endorsed naming it after the family that kicked off the fundraising effort currently making the facility’s construction a reality.
It will be called the Pryde Aquatic and Wellness Centre after Brad and Kathy Pryde. They started the fundraising with a $1 million donation back in 2023.
The Prydes are the founders of the PRANCE therapeutic equestrian program in town. The Town says they have also been instrumental in building several woodland trails between Port Elgin and Southampton.
Vice Deputy Mayor Mike Myatt said a few words at Monday night’s meeting, noting, “The community, I think, at large really sincerely appreciates all that Brad and Cathy Pryde have done for this community.”
Mayor Luke Charbonneau said, before presented the Prydes with a token of thanks for their support of the Aquatic and Wellness Centre, “A couple who are leaders, well respected people in our community. People who will go down in the history of our community as having been major players in building it, so thank you for the contribution.”
There is still fundraising going on for the project. There’s a commemorative brick campaign underway now. You can learn more about the Just Add Water campaign on the Town’s website. The final fundraising push aims to secure the remaining $500,000 needed.
If all continues to go according to schedule, the Pryde Aquatic and Wellness Centre is expected to open sometime in November.