Recently, three community organizations came together in Carman for a common purpose.
The Town of Carman, Carman Area Foundation, and Carman Collegiate joined forces to build a shed at the local pool designed to improve the safety and quality of swimmers’ experiences there.
Protecting safety equipment
Recreation Programmer Sheena Nakonechny said the organizations helped build a shed to house life jackets at the pool.
“I came up with the idea because we just had a life jacket rack [where] we would store our jackets all summer long in the sun exposure,” she said. “Our jackets were starting to deteriorate because the sun is so harsh on them.”
For Nakonechny, the new shed is an important component of safety at the Carman Pool.
“Safety is always the top priority, and having a dedicated visible space for life jackets is a big part of that,” she said. “Before our storage was an idea, life jackets weren't as accessible or as well-maintained as they could have been.”
The recreation programmer said that with the new structure, the life jackets are both protected and easy to find.
“It sends a strong message to families that we are committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment for everyone,” she said.
Student builders, a team effort
For the project, the Carman Area Foundation provided funding, the town’s recreation team helped with planning, site preparation, and coordination, and students from the woodworking class at Carman Collegiate lent their assistance for construction.
“Everyone brought their expertise to the table, and that teamwork made the whole process smooth and rewarding,” said Nakonechny.
“[It] really showcases what's possible when different parts of the community work together.”
Nakonechny is thankful for the organizations that helped with the project, especially the Carman Area Foundation, whose funding made the shed possible.
“Thank you for your continued support of local initiatives like this. It’s what helps make our community stronger and safer,” she said.
With files from Connie Bailey
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