Medley pool project gets a boost, but it needs your help!

Fundraising for the new pool and maintenance facility at Camp Medley has taken on some urgency, but for a good reason.

The J.T. Clark Family Foundation, an offshoot of the Clark auto dealerships that were prominent in New Brunswick for a century, has made the camp an offer.

“They’re doing matching,” said the Rev. John Galbraith, camp director. “I met with the family rep and we walked the camp.”

John initially suggested they could raise $50,000. 

“We had to come up with a number, but he asked, ‘why so little?’ It was just our starting point.”

So they came up with a new number: $375,000, to be raised by the end of December. If they don’t reach that goal by that deadline, there is no matching, and no support from the foundation.

The matching scheme is to ensure the entity receiving the funds is invested and serious, as opposed to simply asking for money. It shows interest and effort on the part of the receiver, said John. 

But if this campaign, called A Place Where Everyone Belongs, is a success, it will put three-quarters of a million dollars toward the project, a significant boost. The project cost is around $3.4 million and $1.2 million has already been raised.

The first significant donation has already been received: $50,000 over five years, from the Parish of Sussex. 

“We are blessed to be able to support such a project. We are continually led to deep gratitude as we hear of, and experience first-hand, the wonderful ministries of Camp Medley,” said its rector, the Rev. Dan McMullen.

“Just this past week we received a call of thanksgiving from a teary-eyed mother, whose troubled son found welcome and joy, as he experienced Jesus in this wonderful community.”

The pool project, unveiled in late 2024, would see a state-of-the-art pool facility built not only for the camp, but for the surrounding community, which does not have a public pool. 

The design looks nothing like a traditional pool. It allows for a “beach” style, barrier-free entry for those with mobility issues. 

It would have a shallow pool plus a 25-metre lap pool that would allow for swim teams and synchronized swimming. It would also have full bathroom and changing facilities. The design is three pools in one. 

And with no place to store equipment and tools, a maintenance building has become a must, as much for security as for convenience.

“We're inviting everyone to become part of A Place Where Everyone Belongs,” said John. “This project is about much more than replacing a pool. 

“It's about creating a welcoming place where children, youth, families, seniors, churches, volunteers, retreat guests, and neighbours can gather, grow, and create memories together.”

Eligible gifts for this campaign include one-time donations, monthly gifts, pledge commitments of up to five years, gifts of publicly traded securities, and gifts from individuals, churches, businesses, foundations, and community organizations. 

You can visit the campaign website to learn more about how the matching gift works, explore the Frequently Asked Questions, or make your donation.

Visit https://campmedley.ca/donate/campaign/
You can also donate via e-transfer (finance@campmedley.ca) and note the donation is for the Camp Medley pool project. 

Photo captions:
1. Computer rendering of the pool that would serve not only Camp Medley, but the surrounding area.
2. Camp director, the Rev. John Galbraith, points out problems with Camp Medley's 60-year-old pool to members of Diocesan Council in this file photo. McKnight photo
3. Heidi and hundreds of campers still use the old pool at Camp Medley, and the river, to swim, but as some have pointed out, the river is warmer than the pool. Emma Davies photo
4. Computer rendering of the pool project.