movemanSKG Plays Ball

Wheelchair users enjoy a wide range of sports, including basketball, tennis and athletics. Some participants go on to compete in the Paralympic Games, an elite competition for the less able that takes place every four years, while others play simply for leisure. movemanSKG recently installed a platform lift at the Abergavenny Leisure Centre in South Wales, which allows less able visitors to access the sports hall. The Go Property Consultancy, a well-established surveying firm, managed the project.

The Abergavenny Leisure Centre is an all-purpose facility, which provides competitive and instructional exercise opportunities. Popular with adults and children alike, it incorporates a swimming pool, squash courts, and a licensed bar. The sports hall has four courts and is in almost constant use, so wheelchair access is essential. The Go Property Consultancy identified the Prestige, movemanSKG’s popular platform lift, as ideal for the application.

Ben Thorpe, Assistant Operations Manager at the centre, is positive; "Our new Prestige lift is robust, reliable and exceeds expectations. movemanSKG pulled out all the stops to complete the lift to a timeframe of just five days. We received an outstanding service and an excellent product. The Go Property Consultancy was also a pleasure to deal with."

Because sports wheelchairs are bigger than normal ones, the lift has a large platform size. This also allows wheelchair users to turn to face the exit door, which is at 90° to the entrance door. As the Abergavenny Leisure Centre is a public venue, aesthetics are essential. With a smart white finish and stainless steel doors, the Prestige is handsome and blends with its surroundings.

The Prestige lifts up to nine metres and has a load capacity of 400kg. With tactile illuminated push buttons, it is user-friendly and easy to operate. An internal lift, it is a self-contained unit, complete with a shaft. No wall or external structure is required. As with all movemanSKG’s lifts, it complies with all building regulations.