Photo courtesy of Perry Parks and Rec

A collaboration of several different organizations and individuals around Perry has borne fruit, as there are brand new starting blocks for the pool at the McCreary Community Building.

The upgrade comes just in time for the Perry swim team’s season, with new blue pads and numbers on the blocks for each of the pool’s six lanes. The project was funded by the Perry Booster Club, the Bock Family Foundation, Raccoon Valley Bank, and Police Chief Eric Vaughn, and were placed with the aid of the Parks and Recreation Department and McCreary Center staff. Swimming Coach Jean Dowd said she was excited for the new starting blocks, particularly because they will provide a safer surface for all of the swimmers who enter the pool. She also feels the vibrant blue of the blocks is a perfect show of Perry pride.

The pool changes are just a small part of the overall work to be done at the McCreary Center in the next year, with other projects to include extensive infrastructure upgrades, aesthetic improvements to the lobby, and repurposing the theater into a workout room. However, the starting blocks are currently the only project funded directly by the public.