RIVERSIDE Ice and Leisure Centre changing facilities for swimmers with physical impairments have been renovated.

Brand new accessible changing facilities at the Centre were officially opened by British Paralympic Swimmer, Jessica-Jane Applegate MBE, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony today (Tuesday, July 22).

Funding of £45,000 provided by the Essex County Council’s Short Breaks for Disabled Children team has enabled the leisure centre to create the new changing area located on poolside.

The funding follows on previous funding from the Essex County Council Short Breaks for Disabled Children team last year, which enabled the centre to install an ice skating aid.

Believed to be the first worldwide, the aid supports the weight of people with disabilities who have limited mobility, enabling them to skate for the first time, through the support of the ice rink team.

Councillor Ray Ride, in charge of leisure at Chelmsford Council, said: “We have always been determined to ensure that our excellent sports facilities and activity programmes are available to the whole community.

“These improvement works will ensure that those with a disability and their carers can really look forward to coming swimming and securing the enjoyment and health benefits that it can offer.”

County Councillor Dick Madden, added: “Facilities like these can make all the difference to children with disabilities and their families, enabling them to enjoy the same leisure activities that other families may take for granted.

“In a spirit of partnership we’ve worked with Chelmsford Council to produce facilities which both organisations can be really proud of.”

For more information about swimming at Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre, please visit: www.chelmsford.gov.uk/riversideswim