Banbridge Leisure Centre has improved access for people with disabilities and restricted mobility with a new facility.

Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough, Councillor Mealla Campbell visited the site along with representatives of Disability Sport NI and Sport NI to open a new Poolpod system.

Originally developed for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Poolpod is a pioneering platform lift system transforming access to swimming pools for people with disabilities and restricted mobility.

Disability Sport NI supported the project with a £30,000 investment through the Department for Communities and Sport NI.

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Speaking at the official launch, the Lord Mayor commented: "I would like to offer my thanks to Department for Communities, Sport NI and Disability Sport NI for their generous funding which has allowed us to install this revolutionary Poolpod system. Inclusivity is extremely important in our society and none more so than in the area of health and recreation. The Poolpod offers the opportunity for those with restricted mobility to fully enjoy our excellent pool facilities at Banbridge Leisure Centre, helping to making our leisure provision more accessible for all."

This project forms part of the wider District Council Disability Sports Hub Project which recently saw a significant investment into disability sports equipment in every council area.

Sport NI Chief Executive Antoinette McKeown added: "These new Poolpods are the latest example of how the Active Living: No Limits Action Plan is enhancing the lives of local people with a disability through sport. The many benefits of an active lifestyle to our physical, emotional and mental wellbeing should be open to everyone here, and Sport NI is proud to be working with our partners to create more inclusive opportunities for local communities to enjoy, engage and excel in sport."

(CM/JG)