An inclusive new feature has been installed at the Clements Hall Leisure Centre swimming pool to improve its accessibility. A 'Poolpod 3' is now ready to use, thanks to successful grant funding by Rochford District Council, Sport England National Lottery Funding and Active Essex Places and Spaces Fund.
A Poolpod is a submersible platform lift that provides a flexible and dignified means of entering and leaving a swimming pool for a person with limited mobility. It is suitable for adults and children living with a disability, customers with young children, and older customers who may not consider themselves disabled but who may benefit from easier access.
Councillor Mike Webb, Rochford District Council's Chair of the Communities, Wellbeing and Housing Committee, said: “The Poolpod is self-operated and is going to make such a difference to anyone who stopped swimming at Clements Hall Leisure Centre because they found using a pool ladder difficult or impossible.
“We are pleased that the Council has been able to work with partners to improve inclusive physical activity for our communities. We would like to thank Sport England National Lottery Funding and Active Essex Places and Spaces Fund for supporting the initiative.”
Dan Humphries, Area Contract Manager at Everyone Active, added: "The introduction of this upgraded technology is a major step forward for accessibility at our site. It ensures that more people than ever can enjoy the benefits of swimming, whether for fitness, rehabilitation, or simply the joy of being in the water. At Everyone Active, we're committed to making our facilities truly inclusive, and the Poolpod 3.0 represents a significant investment in breaking down barriers to participation in swimming activities. We're grateful to Rochford District Council and our partners for helping make this possible."