Leisure centre completes accessibility upgrades

Beau Sejour Leisure Centre has refurbished its changing room and shower facilities for disabled swimmers

Changing facilities has been made more accessible at a Guernsey leisure centre.

Beau Sejour Leisure Centre and Guernsey Disability Swimming LBG (GDS) have worked together to refurbish facilities for disabled swimmers.

They saidthe accessible changing room now included a "state-of-the-art" ceiling hoist and a movable, hygienic changing bench allowing for improved flexibility and ease of use.

In addition, the shower and changing rooms have been rebuilt, featuring contrasting wall colours to aid visually impaired swimmers as well as enhanced safety supports and a fold-out shower seat.

Steve Melbourne MBE said it was a "major step forward"

Recreational service inclusion officer Steve Melbourne MBE said the accessible changing and shower facilities were a "major step forward" in inclusivity and now offered a "modern, dignified space that greatly improves access for disabled people, supporting their full participation in sport and leisure activities".

Adrian Sarchet, chair of GDS, said its previous projects included double railings down the main steps into the pool, self-propelled poolside wheelchairs and a poolside lift which replaced the "old medieval-looking ducking stool contraption".

Mr Sarchet said: "This project provides a similar upgrade to Beau Sejour's changing village and will promote the swim experience of swimmers with disabilities."