The Kelly Patrick Community Pool.

The name says it all.

It would honour long-time lifeguard and swim instructor Kelly Patrick at the pool where so many people learned to swim and love the water thanks to her.

The name is proposed by local resident Ramesh Ferris on a Facebook page with more than 1,500 stating their support by liking the page.

Patrick passed away unexpectedly last week.

Since then, Whitehorse residents have been sharing their memories and grief through social media and at the pool where she taught.

Flags at the Canada Games Centre were flown at half-mast, a memorial display featuring pictures and handwritten notes to Patrick was set up at the aquatic centre.

Flowers were left poolside and two Facebook pages were set up to honour her memory.

We Love Kelly is a group for anyone wanting to share his or her memories and/or photos of the swim instructor.

Meanwhile, the I Support Whitehorse Lion's Aquatic Centre to Kelly Patrick Aquatic Centre page was set up Saturday for residents to show their support for the name change.

As Ferris explained in an interview this morning, the proposal has since been changed so that the main pool would be named after her within the Whitehorse Lion's Aquatic Centre.

Ferris said the intention of the renaming was to honour Patrick, who worked as a lifeguard/swim instructor for 20 years with the city, and her contribution to the community.

Not wanting to take anything away from the contributions of the Lions Club by renaming the aquatic centre, he said, he is now instead suggesting the largest pool in the aquatic centre be named in her honour.

Like so many in Whitehorse, Ferris said he was shocked to learn she had died.

Ferris had gotten to know Patrick in the months leading up to his Cycle To Walk campaign in 2008 that saw him hand-cycle across the country to raise awareness about polio.

Many early mornings at the pool were part of Ferris' training regime.

While Patrick wasn't formally training with him, Ferris described her as "an indirect instructor.”

She was often on shift as a lifeguard as he'd be doing laps.

As he looked up every so often during those laps, Kelly would be at the side of the pool demonstrating the proper form.

"She was so helpful,” he said, as he recalled her smile and helpful tips she'd always pass on to him.

Patrick had a beautiful sense of humour she brought to her work too, he said as he remembered her joking with him.

So many others have similar memories of her and have recalled their own early days swimming, he said.

He learned Patrick had a gift for connecting with young people and kids, bringing out the best in each of them with her enthusiasm and attention to each individual.

Many have marvelled at her ability to remember names and students years later.

Even before her death, Patrick's name was synonymous with the city pool, Ferris pointed out.

She was the life of the pool and the support to name the pool after her has not been surprising given her enthusiastic work there.

While the city is not committing to the name, officials aren't ruling it out either.

Linda Rapp, the city's director of community and recreation services, said this morning the city is committed to finding "an appropriate way” to honour Patrick and will be discussing that with her family and those who were closest to her.

She was scheduled to meet with family members this morning.

On Sunday, a comment posted on the Star's website from Patrick's parents, Jerry and Wendy, stated they were "overwhelmed by the love and support we have received by phone, card, e-mail... and public news and display.

"Life was never easy for Kelly. She was born prematurely with weak muscle tone and poor co-ordination ... but with such a strong independent spirit, such a drive to get going in life, shaking the bars of her playpen to get out!

"Sadly though, her Grade One teacher pinpointed her future educational challenges, ‘That child would give anything to sit still and pay attention, but her nervous system won't let her ….' And it never could.

"So her gifts never shone in school settings where focus was the key. In 1989, she realized she needed a new, free life and drove her car with Lindsey Russell all the way to Whitehorse.

"There, her unique unfettered gifts had the fresh clean air and space to thrive and bloom. She discovered that she was born to teach little ones … actively!

"Kelly swam ‘like a fish' so her job at the pool was made for her … and became her cherished career.

Her sparkling, up-beat personality, boundless energy, enthusiasm, hilarious sense of humor were only exceeded by her love she felt for every child whose life she touched ….

"She never knew she was a hero .…

"She was everything she could ever be .…

"She could fly higher than an Eagle

"She was the wind beneath our wings ….

"Love to you all,

"Kelly's Mum and Dad.”

The proposed naming is expected to be discussed among council later this afternoon.

Coun. Mike Gladish plas to bring up the topic up for discussion with council this eveniing.

Council members get together prior to their regular Monday meetings to discuss any motions or issues that may come up during the formal meeting.

Gladish said he wants to bring it forward after speaking to Ferris over the weekend and letting him know he would pass it along to the rest of council.

"It will be a process,” he said, adding such an endeavour takes time.

Gladish said Patrick does seem like a worthy person of such an honour, noting though it's the job of council to look at the bigger picture before making such a decision.

The city's Municipal Addressing and Naming Policy governs the naming of facilities.

It states anyone wanting to propose a name to a city facility can do so in writing with council having final approval of the names.