13 June 2012

A new portable disability hoist at the Hervey Bay Aquatic Centre is changing lives.

For the past three weeks since the new hoist arrived, pool staff have been helping disabled residents from across the Fraser Coast enjoy some aqua exercise in the 25m heated pool; some of them for the very first time.

“Basically the new hoist lifts the participants from their chairs into the pool, where their carers can assist them with exercise and activities, Manager Paul Jones said.

“For some of the participants, aquatic activity is their only means of exercise due to the nature of their disabilities and without this hoist, they simply wouldn’t be able to access the pool,” Paul said.

“It’s literally changing lives!”

The portable hoist can also be moved between the indoor and outdoor pools, depending on the different participants and weather conditions.

Fraser Coast Regional Council funded the majority of the project, investing $9,352.

The remaining $4,926 was funded by a Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) grant.

In addition to the state-of-the-art disability hoist, the Aquatic Centre also received a brand new aquatic wheelchair.

“The chair is completely submersible and allows easy access to the outdoor pool via the disability ramp,” Council Executive Manager Community and Culture Debra Moore said.

“We’re striving to make our facilities user friendly for all Fraser Coast residents and these two projects are a great step in the right direction.”

The Hervey Bay Aquatic Centre has also introduced new weekend opening hours over the colder winter months.

Gates will now open from 8am – 12pm on Saturdays and 9am – 12pm on Sundays.

The new opening times will be in effect from 9 June to 31 August.