LAGOON UNDER FIRE
State of leisure centre’s disabled facilities blasted
A keen young swimmer has called on leisure bosses to upgrade disabled facilities at the Lagoon Centre.
Wheelchair user Connor Colhoun says he fears for his safety every time he visits the Paisley pool due to the small changing table and poor standards.
The 21-year-old, who suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, wants Renfrewshire Leisure chiefs to take action now as he fears someone could suffer an injury.
He said: “I use the pool at the Lagoon Leisure Centre at least every couple of weeks, and I’m really concerned about the state of the disabled changing rooms.
“The table is really small, which makes me quite frightened when I’m getting ready.
“I have raised the issue with staff but it hasn’t come to anything.”
Connor, who has raised more than £ 2,000 for charity doing sponsored swims, is worried that the state of the changing room is putting other people off going.
“Some people I know who have gone along have been a bit scared using the table and haven’t gone back,” he added.
“When I was there recently there was a bin and other things sitting on top of the table, which isn’t hygienic at all.
“There is damage to other parts of the room too.
“I would like to see it brought into line with the standards of the other changing rooms, which I don’t think is too much to ask.
“Hopefully, they can look at it and make it better for everyone.
“I think if they do, that would encourage more people to come and use the Lagoon.”
Joyce McKellar, chief executive of Renfrewshire Leisure said: “We always appreciate getting customer feedback and we apologise if the standard of our facility doesn’t match the expectation of our customers.
“The disability changing facilities in the Lagoon are about to be refurbished and upgraded and we hope work will begin in the next few weeks.
“Our aim is always to provide the best possible sport and leisure facilities for the people of Renfrewshire, and I’m sure when work on the disabled changing area is completed users will see they are being provided with just that.”