The Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre at Fleming College is now more accessible thanks to a $50,000 grant from the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities.
The grant has funded a new portable “pool pod” that assists people with mobility impairments to get in and out of a pool independently.
Where previously people with mobility issues may have required assistance from a lifeguard, the lift equipment provides safe and efficient access to the pool.
This not only allows more people to enter and exit the pool in a short period of time, but will enhance the centre’s ability to develop specific recreational and therapeutic pool programming for people with physical disabilities.
“Work has begun to develop and deliver specialized aquatics programming supporting recreational and therapeutic participants,” says the centre’s aquatics coordinator Chelsey Gray. “Our new programming will support children, families, and agencies such as Five Counties Children’s Centre with recreational and therapeutic adapted swim lessons.”
The City of Peterborough was selected as one of nine inaugural recipients for a Jumpstart accessibility grant to improve the accessibility of a community facility. Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities is a national charity dedicated to helping kids overcome financial and accessibility barriers to sport and recreation in an effort to provide inclusive play for kids of all abilities.
“Jumpstart Accessibility Grants were created to help kids of all abilities enjoy and participate in sports and recreation in their communities,” says Jumpstart president Scott Fraser. “We are proud to see this vision come to life in Peterborough as more residents can now experience barrier-free access to the local pool.”
The Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre has a full gymnasium, walking track, fitness centre and multi-purpose rooms, which offer full accessibility and access to specialized equipment, including accessible fitness equipment.
