Articles
New inclusive toilet facilities for Arnold Town Centre now open
Date Posted: 1:10 PM on Thu, 18 January 2024
New inclusive toilet facilities for Arnold Town Centre now open
A new public toilet block, including specialist “Changing Places” facilities at King George V Recreation Ground in Arnold is now open.
The development has cost a total of £191,500 and funding for the project came from the Changing Places Fund, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and match funding from Gedling Borough Council. As well as the specialist bathroom, two accessible unisex toilets, both of which include baby changing facilities, have also been built at the site and will be open during park opening hours.
The Changing Places toilet facility is designed to help meet the needs of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well people with other physical disabilities such as spinal injuries, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis who often need extra equipment and space to allow them to use the toilets safely and comfortably.
The facilities include height adjustable changing benches, a tracking hoist system, space for disabled people and carers, a central toilet and a non-slip floor. The roof of the building features PV solar panels which will be used to help power the facility, with remaining energy being fed back into the gird. Access to the changing places facilities are available by calling a 24 hour hotline where there will be selection of questions to obtain a code. The site is monitored by the council’s existing network of CCTV cameras.
The development is the second Changing Places toilets introduced by the council, following the installation of similar equipment at Gedling Country Park in 2017.
Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke MBE said;
“I’m delighted to announce that our new public toilet block at King George V Recreation Ground in Arnold is now open.
These toilets provide a vital facility for people visiting the park, the town centre or the new AMP building, and the inclusion of specialist “Changing Places” equipment means that no one is excluded from accessing them.
This project is part of our commitment to invest in and revitalise our town centres and I’m sure will be a welcome addition to the area for many of our residents and visitors.
We are also looking at potential locations around the borough where we may be able to install further Changing Places facilities, subject to necessary funding and planning permissions.”
Councillor Kathryn Fox, Portfolio Holder for Life Chances and Vulnerability said:
“This is great news as we want Arnold to be as accessible as possible for all visitors. These new state of the art facilities will be a wonderful addition and ensure more people can enjoy the town’s facilities”.