By Afraa Kori
Breaking down barriers to participation and improving safety and access to swimming and water exercise opportunities, Cardinia Shire Council has completed two significant accessibility upgrades at the Koo Wee Rup Outdoor Pool.
Located at 228 Rossiter Rd, Koo Wee Rup, the facility now features a new, state-of-the-art Pool Pod and an upgraded accessible bathroom.
The Pool Pod is an innovative pool lift function that enables swimmers to enter and exit the pool safely, with dignity, either aided or independently. Swimmers can stand or wheel onto the platform, which then lowers them into the pool.
In addition, the accessible bathroom now includes an automated door and mounted hoist, enabling patrons to transfer onto their choice of the new Aqua Tilt or Aqua Active wheelchairs, both of which are compatible with the Pool Pod.
Michael Ventura, a long-term resident of Killara Aged Care in Koo Wee Rup, has been a strong advocate for disability access and the installation of a bathroom at the local swimming pool for many years.
He has been requesting to go swimming at the Koo Wee Rup Outdoor Pool, which is near the Health Service and Cochrane Park.
However, for a number of reasons including, but not limited to pool access and availability, this has not been an easily achieved outcome.
As a member of Cardinia Council’s Disability Access and Inclusion Committee for two decades, Koo Wee Rup Regional Health Service (KRHS) has consistently raised issues on behalf of the community to help advance the Disability Access and Inclusion Action Plan.
While many access improvements were made across the community, access to the outdoor pool remained limited until recently.
“Imagine our delight when staff at Kooweerup Regional Health Service discovered the pool pod and aquatic wheelchairs had been installed at Koo Wee Rup pool,” KRHS spokesperson said.
Eager to explore the possibilities, they promptly visited the facility to assess how Michael’s dream could become a reality.
“The staff were extremely helpful and knowledgeable answering all our questions and providing a demonstration of how the pod and chairs worked,” KRHS spokesperson said.
“After the care team got together to ensure any concerns were addressed, we were able to take Michael along with his brother Vince to the pool for a long awaited swim.
“It was a magical day, blue skies and a perfect 34 degrees! The beaming smile on Michael’s face was worth all the waiting and coordination it took to make his dream a reality…it was difficult to get him to leave!
“Thankyou to all the staff at Aligned Leisure Cardinia for their support as well as the team at Kooweerup Regional Health for their care and determination to enable Michael to enjoy
something that most people take for granted.”
