The local club has donated $3,150 for the purchase of a ceiling lift, which was recently installed in the newly renovated change room for persons with disabilities at the building formerly known as the CARI complex.
This lift enables patrons to be safely transferred from a wheelchair to a change table without undue hardship on the patrons or their support worker.
“This celling lift is required for staff and support workers to be able to bring certain clients to the aquatic facility. This allows patrons who have very limited mobility to enjoy the facilities,” says Bill Irwin, president of the Charlottetown Y’s Men’s Club.
Irwin adds that the Y’s Men have been supporting special initiatives in the aquatics complex since its original capital contribution of $350,000 in 2003.
The Bell Aliant Centre had also recently received $10,000 from three local rotary clubs to fund an adjustable adult change table and portable stairs for the aquatics facility.
“This donation completes the accessibility project” says Al Stewart, chairman of the board of directors for the Bell Aliant Centre. “It is a great example of what we can accomplish with a collaborative approach among service clubs, not-for-profit and our stakeholders.’’
Sue Fraser, general manager of the Bell Aliant Centre, says the renovation is just the beginning in a series of planned changes for the Centre under the heading of patron betterment.’
“Our board of directors and management are very focused on how we can foster partnerships in the community to advance special projects that will provide a superior patron experience here, for both our regular users and event visitors,” Fraser says.
For more information on how people can support the facility’s community efforts, visit bellaliantcentre.ca or call Dean Lund at 902-569-4584. ext. 224.