MONTAGUE, P.E.I. — The TCAP Fitness and Aquatics Center in Montague is looking to make a big splash with businesses and residents in the community.
Officials have organized a number of activities, Feb. 27-29, designed to entice the public and businesses to drop by and donate money to help with repairs and upgrades.
The highlight of the fundraiser is a 24-hour float-a-thon which will take place in the pool, under the very roof which will need to be replaced.
Darren LeBlanc, the fitness co-ordinator, and Maddie Sibbick, the aquatics co-ordinator, will take part in the float-a-thon that begins Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and ends on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
“Maddie and I are going to be floating in the pool and tagging-teaming out, slightly of course, for safety purposes, etc., but for that 24 hours, she or myself will be in the pool floating,’’ LeBlanc said.
Sibbick has other plans.
“I plan on being in the pool for the full 24 hours,’’ she said.
The purpose of the float-a-thon and other numerous other activities is to get foot traffic in the door.
“We want people to come in to experience the facility, to tour around and see what we’re doing and how we’re going to be renovating and improving our amenities and facilities,’’ LeBlanc said.
Friday night will feature an adults-only swim (for those 18 and over) while Saturday is jam-packed with activities, including fitness class demonstrations and a float-a-thon for businesses in which participants volunteer to spend a half hour in the pool. Entrance is by donation.
“This is a community event, and it’s centred about that. We don’t want to exclude anyone because we are a part of this community and we want to make sure everyone can come in and participate in either the instructor demos or float in the pool,’’ LeBlanc said.
Here is the schedule for the TCAP Montague fundraiser:
- Float-a-thon featuring Darren LeBlanc, fitness co-ordinator, and Maddie Sibbick, aquatics co-ordinator, from Thursday, Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m. to Friday, Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m.
- Adults-only (18 and over) kick off party and swim, limited tickets available by donation at the desk.
- Live stream truth or dare, Saturday, Feb. 29, midnight to 7 a.m.
- Team colours pack the lane, Saturday, Feb. 29, 7:30 a.m. to noon.
- Fitness class demonstrations in the aerobics room, Saturday, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Sponsored team float-a-thon raffle, Saturday, 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Final countdown, tally and winner announced, Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
The fitness co-ordinator said it’s going to take hundreds of thousands of dollars to complete repairs that include a new roof and a new dehumidification system. Roof repairs should take another month while installation of a new dehumidication system is at least another six months away.
“It’s going to drain our capital fund quite a bit. Our goal for this is to get the exposure started so we can roll out that exposure into memberships and start annual membership from people in the community.’’
LeBlanc is hoping to pull in at least $2,000 from the sponsors.
Some of the work is done.
The facility has two new boilers, which will make the heating system for the pool, sauna and hot tub much more consistent.
LeBlanc said a lot of the fitness equipment has been updated. They are offering a complimentary orientation session for new members in an attempt to make people feel more comfortable inside the gymnasium.
Sibbick said within the next year or so she would like to offer a water safety training program for fishermen on what to do if a fully-clothed person happens to fall overboard.
LeBlanc said the final goal is to make the facility a place that offers a wide variety of programs to the community.
“If you’re coming in and investing in us we want to invest in you so you can succeed with us.’’
