An all-new bariatric wheelchair is now available to people with limited mobility at City of Canterbury Bankstown’s Max Parker Leisure & Aquatic Centre at Revesby.

Complementing the existing pool access chair, this new wheelchair provides a wider and more supportive frame to meet the needs of a broad range of visitors, whether they live with permanent disability or temporary injuries that prevent them from using standard pool steps.

The chair connects to the existing hydraulic pool hoist, which is operated by lifeguards, and safely lowers seated patrons into water.

There are now five water wheelchairs available across CBCity leisure and aquatic centres – two at Max Parker, two at Birrong and one at Roselands.

“More than 25,000 people in Canterbury-Bankstown have reported needing assistance with core activities in their day-to-day lives due to disability,” Mayor Bilal El-Hayek said.

“Our leisure and aquatic centres are for everyone to enjoy so I am thrilled to unveil this high-quality, bariatric wheelchair to further boost accessibility at Max Parker.”

“Along with our incredible staff, it means we can support more people with limited mobility to have an amazing experience at our centre, whether they are taking part in recreational, therapeutic or fitness activities.” Mayor Bilal El-Hayek said.

The new wheelchair access has provided an improved customer experience for clients with limited mobility such as Kin Saleh.

After being involved in a car crash in 2021 that left her with a significant disability, Kin said this new chair is the only way for her to enter the pool to participate in instructor-led hydrotherapy sessions.

“It’s given me so much independence and freedom, especially after visiting aquatic centres outside of the area that don’t have a pool access chair,” Kin said.

“I can get in and out of the water easily – with help from the staff – and I feel safe with the seatbelt.”

“It’s a joy to come here because hydrotherapy is the only opportunity I have to walk without support.”

This additional wheelchair at Max Parker is part of a wider plan to create more inclusive facilities, as part of Council’s Disability Inclusion Action Plan.

Visitors who need to use the pool access chair can speak to Max Parker’s friendly lifeguards. To plan your visit, go to cb.city/leisure.