Swimming pod provides easier access at Stour Leisure Centre

A new disabled access swimming pod was unveiled at the Stour Centre last week by Ashford Leisure Trust trustees and representatives from Ashford Borough Council and Freedom Leisure.

The swimming pod allows independent, comfortable access to the main 25m pool. Unlike traditional pool hoists, users access the pool independently, giving them the freedom to come in and out of the pool with ease.

Ashford Leisure Trust (ALT) funded the swimming pod as part grants totalling just over £54,000 awarded to seven organisations that deliver healthy recreational activities for people living in the borough of Ashford.

In January 2021, grant-maker Kent Community Foundation announced a new fund thanks to Ashford Leisure Trust offering grants of up to £10,000 to support charitable projects.

Seven projects including Boughton and Eastwell Cricket Club, Kent Challenger Games, Pirates Canoe Club, Rylands Road Park Renovation, Sport on your Doorstep CIC, Step-Out outdoor learning, training and therapy CIC and Wealden Leisure Ltd trading as Freedom Leisure were successful.

Linda Dodds, Chair of Ashford Leisure Trust, added: “The Trust is very pleased to be able to contribute towards the pod, as well as a substantial amount towards the refurbishment of the Stour Centre. It is great to see new and exciting activities available locally.

“We are also delighted that we are now in a position to award grants, which help people living in the borough of Ashford to enjoy a wide variety of sport and active pursuits.  Applications to the fund can be made twice each year (April and September) and the Trust has just funded another five excellent projects”.

Natalie Smith, Director of Grants and Impact, Kent Community Foundation, said, “We were delighted to receive so many excellent applications from Ashford groups, and it was certainly not easy to select the organisations who would receive funding. We look forward to being able to support more organisations in Ashford through the fund.”

The Mayor of Ashford, Cllr Callum Knowles, also unveiled a plaque, acknowledging ALT’s contribution to supporting leisure and sporting facilities.

Cllr Matthew Forest, portfolio holder for culture, tourism and leisure at Ashford Borough Council said: “Ashford Borough Council would like to thank Ashford Leisure Trust for the part they have played in championing the importance of leisure and recreational activities across the borough.

“Swimming is a wonderful form of exercise and we hope the new swimming pod makes it easier for users to access the pool independently. We believe everyone should be able to use these facilities, which is why this equipment is a welcome addition to the Stour Centre.”

Investing in leisure

The Stour Centre opened its doors on 1 June, as a £7.5m investment was unveiled.

The major refurbishment significantly improves the leisure and fitness offer with the new-look centre including: a refurbished gym with new equipment, a new soft play and clip and climb centre, an additional exercise studio, improved changing rooms, revamped reception and café area and new catering offer including Costa Coffee.

The main 25m swimming pool reopened in July and the leisure pool and learner pool are due to reopen very soon after retiling of the swimming areas.

The new-look Stour Centre is just one of a number of community and leisure facilities across the borough being improved, including the Julie Rose Stadium, which is due to boast an improved gym and fitness suite from early November.