| School
Principal Marie Williams, staff, pupils and parents were joined
on Saturday by members of the school's Board of Governors
and Chairman; Councillor Pat Brannigan plus guests from the
Southern Education & Library Board, including Chief Executive
Mrs Helen McClenaghan and Chairman Mrs Moira Alexander, guests
from the Southern Health and Social Services Board and Armagh
and Dungannon Trust.
Mrs Williams described the direct impact the use of the hydrotherapy
pool has on the young people. "To date the children using
the pool have benefited greatly in increasing mobility of
joints and relaxation both in the pool and for a time afterwards.
The pool has also helped to build confidence and independence
along with the added advantage of social interaction and improved
communication between children and also with staff."
The occasion was a dream come true for a group of people who
have been raising funds for the pool for the last two decades
- The Friends Group had raised around £120,000. Chairman
of the group, Mr Robin Dalzell was delighted to be at the
event and see the pool in action. He said, "Our mission
has been achieved. I can't believe it has happened, it really
is a dream come true."
£170,000 was also received from the Department of Education,
the Helena Leyburn Trust put up another £25,000, and
the Ulster Bank Staff Charity Fund added £10,000, with
the remainder coming directly from the Southern Education
& Library Board. The Leyburn Trust had been set up to
send a six-year-old Keady girl to America for treatment for
a rare brain disorder. Sadly Helenna died in October 1999
after returning from the States.
The project was designed and managed by SELB Architects, with
R G Coulter and Co Ltd from Kilkeel the main contractor on
site. Mr Aidan McGee, SELB Chief Architect said an immense
amount of work had been put in to the design and construction
of the pool and the finished product was a credit to those
who worked tirelessly to get the job done.
The facilities at Lisanally School are to be shared with pupils
from Sperrinview Special School in Dungannon, some of whom
also attended the event on Saturday along with Principal Oliver
Sherry. It is hoped that in the near future there will be
community use made of the hydrotherapy pool. . |
