New wheelchairs have made swimming even more accessible at the St Peter’s Leisure Centre in Burnley.
A pair of new wheelchairs has been delivered to the centre to assist with pool access for wheelchair users. These specially designed, easy-to-handle wheelchairs allow people to move freely around the pool and use the shower and changing rooms.
Provided by Burnley Council, the equipment also gives easy access to the swimming pool using PoolPod lift, an innovative mechanism enabling independent access for disabled or less mobile swimmers removing the need for a hoist.
Burnley Leisure’s manager Scott Bryce said: “Swimming offers one of the best ways of keeping active and it is wonderful to be able to update our equipment encouraging exercise and boosting accessibility.
“The wheelchairs have helped provide a sense of freedom and independence for people with a disability who can at times feel isolated from water activities.”
The money to purchase the wheelchairs came from the council’s Ward Opportunity Fund programme following a successful application by councillors Jeff Sumner and Tracy Kennedy.
St Peter’s Leisure centre swimming and teaching pools are used daily by local residents, schools and swimming clubs. The disability swimming club Aqua Lions also uses the centre’s pool.
Members aged from four to 80-years-old meet at St Peter’s every Sunday from 4-5pm. Burnley Leisure’s swimming pools are supervised by qualified lifeguards at all times and the team are able to assist with swimmers access as required.
For more information about swimming activities and Burnley Leisure’s learn to swim scheme call 01282 664444.
