Tanni Grey Thompson says ‘get to Monmouth Leisure Centre’

Do you have a disability?  Have you ever found it awkward to get involved in sports and activities because the facilities aren’t good enough?

If so, get to the Disability Open Day at Monmouth Leisure Centre on Monday November 5th.

Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) has arranged this free event to showcase the extensive modifications made to the leisure centre and to encourage those with disabilities to have fun and get active in our centre of excellence.

Tanni Grey Thompson (pictured), Welsh athlete and TV presenter is unable to attend due to other work commitments, but said:

"I think it's excellent that Monmouthshire County Council is making efforts to make sport and exercise accessible to everybody.  The modifications to the facilities are superb - from the widened doors to the hoist in the changing room.  If you haven't had a chance to try out some activities there yet, go along to the open day and check it out!"

There will be opportunities for visitors to take part in sports, view the fitness suite and have some lunch.  The event takes place between 10.30am and 4pm with the following activities/demonstrations available:

• Swimming
• Short Mat Bowls
• Football
• Cricket
• Rugby
• Basketball

Organisers are hoping to get elite Welsh disabled sports people to be on hand on the day to give advice to sports stars of the future.

MCC is committed to working to improve access to all our services for all people, regardless of disability.

Cabinet member for property services, Bob Greenland, said:

“It is true to say that it’s not the fact that someone is hard of hearing or uses a wheelchair that disables us, but the fact that information and buildings are not always made accessible to us. We hope that anyone who visits our leisure centres will be glad to get on with a good workout without the hassle of using a poorly equipped building.”

The work carried out at Monmouth Leisure Centre has been extensive:

Revolving doors have been replaced with automatic sliding doors.

Two wheelchair accessible toilets have been provided and changing and shower compartments have been designed following Sport England design guidance.

A wheelchair accessible toilet compartment on the first floor has been enlarged and refitted to improve manoeuvring space, and tip up seats and grab rails have been provided in the male and female shower areas.

In the swimming pool building, a new changing and shower facility and an accessible toilet have been fitted, with an overhead hoisting facility to enable those with more profound disabilities to use the facility.

The approach to the swimming pool building has been improved with a new level surface and handrailing.  A new hoist and shallow rise steps have also been provided to facilitate public access into the water.

Induction loop systems and visual fire alarms are currently being installed in all of the assembly areas to assist people with hearing impairments.

Colour contrasting features have been an important consideration in the design of all of the new facilities to assist those with visual impairments.  Replacement signage will soon be mounted, incorporating both raised tactile and Braille information.

> Click here to download a copy of the Program of Events (Nov 07)

> Click here to download the "free swim" booking form