For the very first time, many Port Pirie locals with a disability will be able to go for a swim at their local pool with confidence that they can safely enter and exit the water. Belgravia Foundation, Belgravia Leisure and Port Pirie Regional Council have partnered to fund a new pool chair at Port Pirie Aquatic Leisure Centre to create a more inclusive environment at the centre, ensuring no-one misses out on the benefits of water-based leisure and fitness activities.

“Shortly after opening it became clear that we had no way of assisting those in the community with a disability to enter or exit the pool without the use of a mechanical aid, given our stairs are too steep”, Catherine Foreman, South Australian State Manager for Belgravia Leisure said.

“Community feedback was also telling us that this was a gap, including students needing to attend the Department for Education and Child Development swimming lessons who had to be manually lifted in and out of the pool.”

“We are so very pleased to now be providing this pool accessibility equipment, and with 136kg lifting capacity, the ‘PAL’ (Portable Aquatic Lift) enables us to welcome those in the community with a disability to actively engage in aquatic leisure experiences all year round via the outdoor pool during the summer months or the heated indoor pool.”

“Belgravia Foundation funds are raised locally and spent locally, so I would like to extend my thanks to the Port Pirie community, as without this community support this initiative would have not been possible,” Catherine concluded.

The pool chair lift or ‘PAL’ (Portable Aquatic Lift) can be moved and operated by one person with ease and includes an extended vertical range with 240° rotation and a stability strap to help ensure safe transfer of guests.

Belgravia Foundation’s purpose is to support all in the community to connect and benefit from the services, programs, employment across Australia and New Zealand. Through participation in these experiences, all people are provided access to opportunities that can contribute to improved health and happiness, irrespective of any personal characteristic or circumstance.