Local resident Kim Magee will swim six kilometers around Nine Mile Lake on Aug. 25 to raise funds for the West Parry Sound Recreation and Cultural Centre project.
Magee requires knee surgery and has limited mobility. Medically, she is deemed too obese to qualify for surgery, so she has been motivated to swim during the summer months to assist with her weight loss and healthy lifestyle goals.
She is excited about being able to swim year-round and believes the new six-lane pool will benefit many local residents.
“We can have some pretty rough winters here. If you can’t walk or ski, there is not a lot of opportunity (to exercise),” said Magee.
Magee is open about her mental health struggles, specifically depression, which contributed to her weight gain during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. She wants to bring a pool to Parry Sound so residents can have an area to get together for aquatic exercise and socialization.
“A pool in Parry Sound will save my life,” she said.
Magee will start her swim at 8 a.m., and a fundraising barbecue at 9 Mile Beach will begin at noon.
To donate online visit letsmakeasplash.ca.
