The opening of the warm water therapy pool at the new aquatic centre was the end of an eight-year journey for dedicated committee members and now a new one has begun.

The push is on for those who could benefit from its therapeutic and rehabilitative qualities to start utilizing it on a regular basis. By doing so, they will be able to secure the time slots they prefer,

"What we need now are people with any kind of condition or problem to come to the pool and try it because after Christmas we're hoping they give us slotted time," explains Mary Klimek, who has worked on the project from the beginning.

Right now, the therapy pool is available from 6 a.m. to 12 noon and that's not necessarily the best time slot for those who could benefit from its services.

"You're not going to get too many out of bed at 6 in the morning that are handicapped," she points out.

Klimek says they got everything they wanted and now it's a matter of some fine tuning to meet the needs of the users. Last week, world cup para-triathlete Kim Wedgerfield came to see the finished product, provide additional recommendations and to help to test its aquabike, trendmill and water wheelchair.

Change rooms are also fully equipped with a specialized bench, showers and lifts to help users get in and out of their wheelchair and into the water wheelchair.

For Wedgerfield, it was her first time in a wheelchair since she was told in 2007 she would never walk again.

"I parked in it in my livingroom and never use it again."

She is thrilled with the pool and what it means to increasing accessibility for those who can benefit from the therapy.

"This is wonderful for people who are disabled as well as disabled athletes," says Wedgrfield. "Disabled athletes can come here and train and use the facilities and get stronger and better and maybe they'll come home with more medals."

The world championship multi-medalist provided input on its design so the engineers fully understood the needs of disabled people.  She says there are some adjustments required but that doesn't overshadow this major accomplishment.

"This pool is amazing and I think it's going to be suitable to the needs of many. It's going to be a wonderful transition for all of us."

Cochrane's warm water therapy pool is particularly unique because it's the only one in Alberta attached to a public facility. 

There is the potential of adding more equipment to the pool, but first the warm water therapy society wants to see the exact needs.

"What we've decided is let's wait awhile, let's see how many people come and what their needs are and then we could do more fundraising," says Klimek.