COMPLIANCE of local authority owned amenities for disability requirements in Ennis has been praised.
Active Ennis Leisure Complex is the only swimming pool in Munster “with both a disability lift on the pool deck and in the changing rooms,” Tim Forde, Manager of Sports & Recreation outlined.
He explained, “We are the only swimming Pool in Munster with both a disability lift on the pool deck and in the changing rooms. Our Gymnasium is disability compatible. Disability Toilets are also provided. A lift is in operation for access to the lower ground in the Pool”.
This has seen Active Ennis awarded a ‘Gold Standard’ in Disability Awareness by the White Flag of Excellence from Ireland Active. Other facilities include wheelchair level lockers, signage for parking spaces informing users to call for assistance if needed plus parking spaces designated for disabilities and hidden disabilities and access to the use of a wheelchair in their reception lobby.
Forde added, “We are in the process of installing a ‘Ability Swing’ in Active Ennis Tim Smythe Park, which also provides a ‘Changing Places’ facility for use by people with disabilities”.
His comments came in response to a motion from Cllr Ann Norton (IND) who asked for a survey on the Ennis MD amenities “to make sure they are complying with all disabilities requirements and also to see if any new up to dates would make amenities more disability friendly”.
Speaking at the September meeting of the Ennis MD, Cllr Norton stated, “I just wanted to make sure that all of the amenities within the Ennis MD are complying with disability requirements, there has been a huge amount of work done over the last few years to facilitate and make life easier for people with disabilities both physically and mentally”.
She continued, “If there is opportunities out there for funding that we are continuously trying to upgrade”.
Seconding the proposal, Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) noted, “This is all about access for people”. Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) felt it was a big plus to be the only swimming pool in the province with a disability lift on the pool deck and the changing area, “We’re doing quite good, we are the largest town in Munster”.
“Over the last decade there has been huge improvement in universal access to public spaces and on public realm,” said Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG).
