A pool lift inspired by Paralympic swimmers has been unveiled at Kendal Leisure Centre.
Officially opened by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Cumbria, Alexander Scott, the Poolpod permits movement from poolside to water in under 20 seconds for swimmers with diverse requirements.
Financed by Westmorland and Furness Council plus its leisure partner GLL, which operates Kendal Leisure Centre, the device valued at almost £50,000 also received monetary assistance from South Lakeland Hydrotherapy Ltd, and charities including Bay Hospitals Charity for University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust.
Sandgate School pupils in Kendal were among the first to test the Poolpod at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The Poolpod features a custom-designed submersible wheelchair, with users able to opt to either stand or sit while they descend to a comfortable water depth.
Derek Jones, GLL’s partnership manager for Westmorland and Furness, said: "Many of our existing customers have reported how they now feel more independent, being able to access the swimming pool without being aided by helpers or leisure centre staff."
Councillor Dyan Jones, Westmorland and Furness Council’s cabinet member for Customer and Waste Services, said: "The Poolpod is a super piece of equipment that provides pool users at our Kendal Leisure Centre a greater opportunity to enter the water with confidence, independence and dignity.
"GLL run several leisure centres on the council’s behalf and I’m delighted they have given £10,000 towards the Poolpod from our yearly funding allocation."
Colin Ranshaw, chair of South Lakeland Hydrotherapy Ltd, says that it is 'great news' for those who use the Hydrotherapy Pool in Kendal, who can now use an additional pool for leisure.
Mr Ranshaw said: “It means that family and friends of disabled children can enjoy the pool together for both leisure and health and wellbeing.”
The charitable trust gave £20,000 towards the Poolpod, including donations from the Frieda Scott Charitable Trust and Garfield Weston Foundation, coordinated by Cumbria Community Foundation.
Suzanne Lofthouse, from the Bay Hospitals Charity, said: "We were delighted to donate £19,331.29 towards the Poolpod, which we hope will help users to experience fun in the water for many years to come.
"We're extremely grateful to the Barrow Thornborrow Charity who donated the money to us to enable this work to take place."
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