The Barrhead and District Agrena Society is one step closer to its goal of raising $1.5 million for the soon to be completed aquatic centre after a $20,000 donation by a Hillcrest Lodge resident.
Eldwin Wakefield made the donation to the Agrena Society at Hillcrest Lodge, in a ceremony in front of family and friends on April 8.
The donation was made in honour of Wakefield’s wife, Loretta, who passed away in January 2013.
Wakefield said he decided to make the donation after an investment the couple made became due and instead of reinvesting in a GIC or buying something for himself such as a new vehicle, as one person suggested, he wanted to do something to help the community and honour his wife.
“She loved going to the pool and went to aquasize all the time before she got sick,” he said.
Rita Lyster, Agrena Society member, said the donation was a surprise.
“It is very generous and we are excited not only about this donation, but the entire aquatic centre project,” she said, adding members of the society recently had a chance to tour the facility. “Everything is coming along. All the change rooms are tiled and when we were there the big tank was in the process of being tiled. We were just tickled pink to see what progress is being made.”
Lyster said, adding the society is cautiously optimistic that the aquatic centre will be open by July 1.
The donation brings the Agrena Society’s fundraising effort to $1.25 million.
