Cootamundra Swimming Pool now has two 'platypus chairs' - aquatic wheelchairs especially designed to help people lacking mobility enter and enjoy the water.
The Cootamundra Lions Club has donated $2,790 for the purchase of the second chair, which is set to make a big difference to carers and people with disabilities alike at the pool.
The purchase price also included two adaptor wings that can be fitted to the back rest to accommodate children.
The second chair will be used to enable people to enjoy the pool's new outdoor 'splash water park' without the existing chair having to be taken away from the indoor pool.
Pool staff and carers have found there's often a demand for someone to be taken to the splash park at the same time someone else is in the indoor pool.
The first wheelchair, also donated by Lions, has been in constant use year-round almost since the opening of the heated indoor pool in May 2014.
These days it's used at least three times a day, with a ramp that enables carers and/or pool attendants to guide the chair and its occupant gently into the water.
The chairs are of light weight but sturdy construction, made of heavy-duty PVC piping and plastic webbing.
It's obviously a design that works because the first chair still looks almost brand new, despite being in use for more than 15 years.
The need for the second chair has arisen especially because of the splash park, which is a new feature at the pool completed late last year at a cost of $400,000.
The former kiddies pool was a conventional standing water pool which, despite being only a matter of inches deep, was a nagging worry in case carers were distracted.
The old toddlers pool was removed, and now there is only grass where it used to be.
The splash pool was created closer to the main swimming pool, and has no standing water. Instead it relies on fountains, sprays and tipping buckets to keep water constantly on the move to cool youngsters down while enjoying their play.
The splash water park was funded by a grant from the the NSW government's Stronger Communities Fund, administered by the council.
