Accessible swimming ‘Poolpod’ installed at dlr Leisure Loughlinstown

(Pictured above, from left to right: Cory Dunne, Fitness Instructor, dlr Leisure Loughlinstown, Shane Tobin, Manager, dlr Leisure Loughlinstown, Kevina Malone, Community Sports Development Officer, dlr Sports Partnership, Cllr. Deirdre Donnelly, Leas-Cathaoirleach, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Chair of the dlr Leisure company, Cllr. Lettie McCarthy, An Cathaoirleach, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Niall Cull, Chief Executive Officer, dlr Leisure, Therese Langan, Director of Community and Cultural Development, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council)

A new state-of-the-art lift system called Poolpod has been installed at the dlr Leisure Loughlinstown centre to support the work of the centre and to provide easy and independent access to the swimming pool.

Poolpod is a sleek and modern pool lift which offers a dignified and quick means of access for all visitors who are wheelchair users or have mobility challenges.

The modern facility offers a high level of independence for persons with mobility issues, providing them with a simple and comfortable method of access to and from the pool.

The Poolpod, itself an innovative prototype, was developed around very specific access needs at the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.

Attending the launch, An Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Cllr. Lettie McCarthy, declared her delight at the addition of this new piece of equipment:

“This new lift system is not just for people with a disability – it will benefit the whole community and reflects an acknowledgement of the increasing number of swimmers with reduced mobility, a number set to increase in line with an aging population.”

The installation of this Poolpod has been made possible due to a collaboration between Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Sports Partnership and dlr Leisure. These agencies have a long-standing commitment to the development of participation programmes for children with special needs.

Across the three dlr Leisure managed pool facilities, a dedicated sensory friendly pool hour has been in operation each week since last summer which is used in a flexible and adaptive method to facilitate both introduction to the water and skills development.

Niall Cull, CEO of dlr Leisure, stated:

“These initiatives came about as a response to a drive and commitment to address real issues of providing access for all and ease of access to the pool.

“Swimmers of all levels of mobility can now enjoy a swim without having to worry about issues around getting in and out of the water.”

The Poolpod is now a permanent facility at the dlr Leisure Loughlinstown centre. It offers swimmers of all ages and all levels of mobility a discrete, safe and easy-to-use option when using this popular swimming pool.