First 'Changing Places' accessible toilet in Athlone now open

The first 'Changing Places' accessible toilet installed by Westmeath County Council opened on the lower ground floor level of the Athlone Civic Centre today (Monday).

Representatives of Athlone Access Awareness group and the Irish Wheelchair Association gathered with Cllr Frankie Keena to mark the opening of the facility some three years after a campaign to install it got underway.

Changing Places toilets offer increased space and a specialised design for people with additional needs. Cllr Frankie Keena said he was "thrilled" the Athlone facility had now been opened to the public.

"Three years ago, I was contacted by both Maureen Wallace of the Irish Wheelchair Association and John Tynan from Athlone Access Awareness who briefed me about a Changing Places facility, which includes both a hoist and a height-adjustable changing bench.

"These facilities have been designed to put health, safety and the dignity concerns of the person with a disability, and the carer, to the fore."

Cllr Keena thanked the management of the council "for their support in identifying a suitable room, engaging consultants to draw up the relevant designs, and sourcing the money to provide this much-needed service under their close supervision."

He said the Changing Places facility would be available during the opening hours of the Civic Centre and library, and that it would "help in some way carers and family members to plan family trips and attend events that, up to now, remained out of reach for them".

'Fobs' for accessing the facility are expected to be issued to local families of people with additional needs, while visitors to Athlone can ask at reception in the civic centre if they require access to it.

Iarnród Éireann recently received planning permission to install a Changing Places facility at Athlone train station, while the Athlone Regional Sports Centre has also applied for Sports Capital for funding to install such a facility at the centre.