www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk
CommercialPools AUG 2010 spn
51
POOLS STEP UP TO DEAL WITH ACCESS ISSUES Cornthwaite:
Commercial pool owners, both private and local authority, are stepping up their compliance to provide better and more consistent facilities for the disabled. Compliance3 with the Disability
Discrimination Act of 2005 is now being applied more diligently. For disabled swimmers access to a pool
requires more forethought. The 2005 Act is reliant on service providers, such as leisure centre and commercial pool owners, to make “reasonable adjustments” to any physical features that may act as a barrier to access. Pool
lifts are now part of every
commercial pool’s service to the public. The increased demand from commercial
pool owners has led to faster product development from companies supplying lifts. Certikin has responded by introducing hard-working
products Iain Hasdell, partner and UK head of local
government at accountants KPMG, said that councils were coming to terms with the harsh realities of the recession. “What is very positive is a new resolve in local
government to take the tough decisions required during these difficult times.” That resolve has put commercial pool managers
very much in the firing line who will struggle for the next few years to find financial solutions to the day to day running problems of pools. A large number of pool closures are anticipated. The pool problems range from unsafe ceilings
and structural defects to more common problems of filter replacements, new boilers, damaged tiles and general essential maintenance. A spokesman for the Local Authorities
Association said that budget cuts over the past three or four years had meant many swimming pools had been neglected and that basic running repairs had been abandoned until the problem became so bad the pools had to close. “It will be seen as false economy in many ways
but many local authorities have had to cut back on maintenance and some pools have gone five years with no servicing, no new replacements and no investment. It was a problem waiting to happen. Closing swimming pools for essential repairs has pushed local authority costs millions of pounds over budget,” he added. He said that many local authority pools had
struggled through since the start of the recession. It was clear repairs were needed but they just couldn’t be afforded. “In so many cases things have just caught up
with the pools. Closure for some period of time has been inevitable. Too many are still being patched up and will not have the full repairs they need,” he added. One example is Kingsbury Swimming Pool, at
designed
specifically for those with disabilities. The Portable Aquatic Lift (PAL) makes it
the ideal solution to the problem of access for the disabled who want to use commercial or multi-pool facilities. This portable powered lift does not
require mounting to the pool deck or the need for a water or electric supply. It can literally be positioned anywhere around the pool and put away when not in use. The lift makes any pool accessible in seconds. It provides 3001b (136kg) lifting capacity together with a 240 degree turning radius for safe transfers away from the pool edge. Birmingham based pool equipment
specialists Suntrap Systems is a regular exhibitor at the Leisure Industry Week event at the NEC with the specific target of providing commercial pool owners with options with the Suntrap range. The company offers a manual Super EZ
Lift operated by hydraulic ram and a Super Power EZ Lift which has a battery-assisted “lift and lower” function giving smooth transition into and out of the spa or hot tub. Said Suntrap Managing Director Janet
Kingsbury School in north Warwickshire, which could face closure if alternative means to provide its £50,000 per annum running costs cannot be found. Now campaigners are urging locals to submit
their views before council chiefs meet to discuss the situation later this month. Warwickshire county councillor Brian Moss said;
“No pool makes a profit. The county council said it would try to find other parties to get involved, but I can’t see anybody wanting to take on a swimming pool – it’s not a profitable thing.” A spokesman for the pool told Swimming Pool News this week; “Due to budget cuts, we now
Suntrap range includes a manual Super EZ Lift operated by hydraulic ram and a Super Power EZ Lift which has a battery-assisted “lift and lower” function
have to look at ways in which we can keep the swimming pool open. “We have secured funding to keep it open for
another year while discussions take place.” He said the pool’s running costs currently
totalled about £50,000 per year, not including expenditure on repairs or unforeseen bills. spn
i for furtHer inforMAtion
F jc leisure solutions ( 01376 513246 :
www.jcleisuresolutions.com
“These lifts are
manufactured from epoxy powder-coated stainless steel to the same high standard as the other hoists in our product range, and have the same 28.5 stones lifting capacity. Our American supplier of disabled lifts is in the process of developing a new lift for above-ground applications.” Suntrap Systems also have available the
battery-powered ‘Aqua’ Portable Pro Lift, which is fully automatic and is operated by waterproof remote control to lower the disabled user steadily into the pool. Said Janet: “We had a great deal of interest in the Pro Lift. Everyone seemed to think it was something quite different and special.”
i for furtHer inforMAtion
F certikin ( 01993 778855 :
www.certikin.co.uk
F suntrAp systeMs ( 0121 428 1155 :
www.suntrap-systems.co.uk
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