THE city’s first community hydrotherapy pool is starting to make waves as people stream into Boandik’s $6m Community Wellbeing Centre.
The hydrotherapy pool was thrown open to the public for the first time yesterday following a 15-year community campaign to attract a facility to the Blue Lake city.
A number of people took a splash in the pool yesterday as part of “come and try sessions” that will be held over the next two weeks.
This follows more than 400 people last week gaining a sneak-peek of the new Lake Terrace East building during group tours.
Boandik chief executive Gillian McGinty said yesterday response from the community had been overwhelmingly positive.
“We have had very positive first testimonials for the new hydrotherapy pool. There are lots of people booked in for come and try sessions,” Ms McGinty told The Border Watch.
“This facility is available for the entire community. We want people to use the facility.”
She said allied health professionals, community members, disability providers as well as Boandik’s residents and clients had been impressed with the modern new facility.
Ms McGinty said the opening of the pool was a major milestone given Mount Gambier did not have access to hydrotherapy.
Importantly, she said the pool was accessible for everyone given it had a ramp water-proof and wheelchairs that go into the water.
“The centre also has a fully equipped changing places changeroom, which has a high adjustable bed and overhead hoist system above it,” Ms McGinty said.
This allows a person to be picked up and lowered into the pool.
“People with profound physical disabilities can get into this pool – that’s what we wanted to achieve,” Ms McGinty explained.
She said research showed there was substantial health benefits of hydrotherapy for people with disability.
Hydrotherapy is also effective for people with diabetes, arthritis as well as helping with mental wellbeing.
“It can improve anxiety and depression,” the Boandik executive said.
Boandik resident and pool campaigner June Wilcourt was the first to have a splash in the new pool.
“June nagged me for many years to have a hydrotherapy pool,” Ms McGinty revealed.
“June could not access any pools in Mount Gambier – she loves swimming and water therapy. She also the proposed the Fund my Neighbourhood application, which we received $150,000 from the State Government.
“Our residents have absolutely loved it – the temperature was fantastic and they enjoy the movement.”
“The pool is set at a minimum of 33 degrees and we are monitoring that with feedback.”
She said a community-based schedule was likely to be released shortly.
“We are hoping by the end of this week we will have schedule worked out so people can start booking next week,” Ms McGinty said.
She said an app would be created to streamline the booking process.
Boandik also plans to hold group sessions.
