Moray Hydrotherapy Pool awarded £2000 from the Auchernack Trust Fund
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MORAY hydrotherapy pool in Forres has been awarded £2000 for running costs.
It was closed for 19 months during the coronavirus pandemic and lost a potentially sizeable amount of revenue as a result, so the award from the Auchernack Trust is timely.
Hydropool Trust chairman Chris Combe said: “We were looking for income to recover some of the costs of reopening. It is still not clear what this cost has been but we need to attract people back to the pool.”
People with medical conditions benefit from its heat, which offers a great way to relax and promotes good health. The pool originally opened in 2011 and is used by people including those with arthritis, MS and cerebral palsy.
Unfortunately, since the pool reopened in October there has been a slow uptake.
“With the pandemic continuing this is understandable,” said Mr Combe. “Some people are reluctant to attend which is a big problem for us.
“One of our previous major users has cut back on their usage. However, we’re using the pool for water confidence and swimming lessons for pre-school children. This is popular with the two groups who organise them."
Moray Hydrotherapy Pool requires around £20,000 operational funding every year. The figure varies according to donations, usage and costs.
The Auchernack Trust was established as the Auchernack Comfort Fund. This was the bequest of former Forres postie William Cameron, who made provision in 1979 for the residue of his estate on death to be used for the benefit of residents of the then care home in Forres.
A Miss Beattie and Miss McConnachie also left monies for the same purpose, the three together forming the Auchernack Comforts Fund Trust.
