By DARLENE STEELE for SSPLASH.H20
SSplash — also known as the Salt Spring Indoor Pool Association and SSPLASH.H2O — is ending its role as the only advocate for a leisure and therapy pool at the site of our current Rainbow Road swimming pool.
The reason for this decision is that the board members have decided it is time to retire and if possible hand the not-for-profit charitable organization over to a new group of swimming and health enthusiasts who would like to advocate for aquatic infrastructure changes. The current board members have been on the board since 2001. It is time for a new group. If there is any interest in assuming the mantle of this wonderful organization, please contact the writer at roosleap@shaw.ca or 250-537-8718.
A bit of history is appropriate, both for newcomers and as a walk down memory lane for the 400 members who participated in the activities of SSplash.
The first meeting to discuss forming an indoor pool advocacy group was called to order by Kathy Page in September of 2001. A group of swimming enthusiasts numbering 50-plus island residents attended and a decision was taken to form a not-for-profit charitable society and a board of 12 people was formed.
At that time Salt Spring had an outdoor, above-ground, rusting-out metal and vinyl pool which we inherited second hand from Smithers, B.C. It was located at Portlock Park. To say it was an eyesore would be a kind comment. It operated in the summer months only. It was clear that a new swimming facility was required.
The politics surrounding the potential building of a new swimming pool were absolutely heated and fierce. The Parks and Recreation Commission (PARC) board chair and Capital Regional District (CRD) director were adamant that an outdoor pool to replace the existing structure was adequate and that anything else was extravagant. However, it turned out that the residents of Salt Spring had a different vision and intention. There was a period of time from 2001 to 2005 when the debate in the community raged on, with numerous PARC and simultaneous SSplash meetings.
During this timeframe SSplash became a visible force in the community. This was achieved by expanding our membership to 400 people and holding open information sessions.
SSplash started two businesses. The first was the SSplash Cafe at Portlock Park serving snacks and drinks to people holding sports events and general users of the park. This business was run by Wendy Rosier, Rita Sagness and Irene Gibbs, but many other SSplash members volunteered their time. But in addition, this cafe may have been the first mobile food service on Salt Spring as it showed up at many local events such as soccer games, car shows, etc.
The second business was the creation of our own brand of bottled water called — what else? — SSplash.H2O Water. It was sourced and bottled here on Salt Spring Island. Rosier made all the prototype labels for our product, and many other posters, pamphlets, logos and labels. Jane Horsburgh ran the water sales and delivery business and we had 19 businesses selling our water all over the island.
SSplash held three sold-out men’s fashion shows: Men a la Mode, Men a la Mode Phase II, and Men a la Mode III. These shows were coordinated by Cheryl Leukefeld and Sagness and, to put the cherry on top of the ice cream, all the modelled clothing was provided by Salt Spring merchants. The models were some of Salt Spring’s most gorgeous and well-known men: Arvid Chalmers, Dave the Blaster, Malcolm Legg, Laurence Spencer, Ken Garner and many others. Harbour House hosted the event and Leukefeld was the commentator and music coordinator. These were riotously entertaining shows.
But what was so astounding was the response in the community to make donations and to set up events as fundraisers for SSplash. John and Irene Gibbs held a sold-out talk and slide night entertaining with the tale of their around-the-world trip on their sailboat the Docent.
Randy Bachman, at that time a resident of Salt Spring, held a two-night concert event with his band members at ArtSpring, along with merchandise sales, which raised a delightful amount of money and pleased the guests immensely. Both events sold out.
Thrifty Foods donated $100,000 to SSplash, as did Country Grocer (then known as Ganges Village Market). The $200,000 they donated gave our not-for-profit a real leg up and heightened our profile in the community. This encouraged individual donors to make many private donations, the largest of which was $100,000. This community was so generous and engaged in the dream of an indoor pool, there were literally hundreds of donations. Many Salt Spring businesses donated products and money.
SSplash participated in many community activities, including hosting the New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim for five years in a row. We provided an ice trophy and free hot chocolate and muffins.
Throughout this five-year period, SSplash had a prominent public profile, because we attended every car show, football game and public event with a mobile food service and to hand out information.
In 2005 we attended the fall fair with a petition that indicated to the CRD that Salt Spring wanted an indoor pool. The petition was signed by 2,635 people. With that evidence of support the regional director went to the CRD board meeting with a request for an outdoor pool. Jane Horsburgh and I went to that meeting and changed the request and the motion was passed for an indoor pool, which then led to a successful borrowing referendum.
The last few nights before the referendum vote, Royal LePage offered their office space so SSplash could use their many phones and we blitzed the island with phone calls to encourage a yes vote in the referendum. Dozens of volunteers called every person in the Lions Directory. Salt Spring voted YES!
One final large grant of $2,000,000 came through MLA Murray Coell.
After the Rainbow Road pool opened in 2008, SSplash continued to work to support its activities and fundraised for future expansion. We purchased and operated a vending machine at the pool so the kids had access to refreshments. Even today we have a donation box at Country Grocer and collect grocery tapes to continue to fund our activities. This job is handled by Lorri Storr.
SSplash has been an involved and enthusiastic group of volunteers donating thousands of hours of their time to support this endeavour. It clearly demonstrates what an active and enthusiastic group can do.
So here is the invitation: does anyone on Salt Spring with an interest in water sports want to take this not-for-profit organization into the future? There is nothing the current board members would like more. Let me say it has been quite a ride and I have enjoyed the experience thoroughly. Volunteering offers a real experience of personal growth and is good for the soul.