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With reference to the statements of the Member of the European Parliament Dr Peter Agius regarding the accessibility of the Gozo Sports and Aquatic Pavilion for persons with disabilities, the Ministry for Gozo and Planning clarifies that contrary to what has been said, a substantial investment has been made to ensure that the said facilities address the needs of persons with disabilities.
In order to make this facility fully accessible to all, the Ministry has taken care of equipping part of the swimming pool with a system that allows the water level to rise and fall from 2.3 metres to 5 centimetres. In addition, a special staircase has also been installed in the swimming pool, which was specifically designed to facilitate access for people with mobility difficulties. In the coming days, a special "hoist" intended for people using wheelchairs will also arrive, so that they can enter the swimming pool in a safe and dignified manner through this device.
At the same time, the complex is equipped with three lifts compliant with the requirements of the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD), four toilets and showers specially designed for persons with disabilities. In addition, eight other toilets are accessible for wheelchairs.
The Gozo Indoor Sports and Aquatic Pavilion successfully hosted a training camp organised on 24th and 25th January by the Malta Trust Foundation and the Maltese Paralympic Committee, in collaboration with Italian coaches. The initiative aimed to provide specialised training and competition opportunities for sixteen children with disabilities.
Through this collaboration, Maltese and Gozitan children with different abilities were given the opportunity and resources necessary to train and develop their skills in aquatic sports.
All this shows that contrary to what was said by European Parliament Member Dr Agius, the Ministry took care to ensure that the Pavilion is accessible to persons with disabilities.
