New chairs provide pool access
23 May 2018
GoWaipa and Waipa District Council have teamed up to ensure people of all abilities can easily access Te Awamutu's community pool.
Until now, it's been difficult for patrons in wheelchairs to access the 25 metre pool at the Livingstone Aquatic Centre. But the purchase of a purpose-built water wheelchair means they can now enter the pool via the lido area.
The $3,200 wheelchair was promoted and half-funded by GoWaipa after the Trust was unable to find sponsorship. Waipa mayor Jim Mylchreest topped up the remaining money from his discretionary mayoral fund.
It's really important we make it as easy as possible for all people to use community facilities and this seemed a pretty simple thing to do, Jim said.
GoWaipa chief executive Matt Horne said more modern pools had easy access into pools for wheelchair users as stipulated in the latest revamped building code.
Our pool was built before that stipulation was in place so this is the best option and it's something we're really happy about, he said. We don't expect there will be huge demand for the chair but it means that wheelchair users, like anybody else, can now use the 25 metre pool which is great.
As well as the water wheelchair, GoWaipa has also purchased a brand new dry wheelchair for the Te Awamutu facility. The self-propelling chair is made of specially treated plastic and provides easier access to the pools for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility. The facility already has a hoist for the warmer hydrotherapy pool.
The dry chair is going to be very useful for those using pools as therapy after an accident or for caregivers wanting to access the lap pool with their clients, Matt said.
Patrons can get access to either wheelchair by talking to a duty lifeguard.