By James Johnson

Last updated at 12:59, Wednesday, 09 March 2011

A ‘revolutionary’ water centre, featuring a swimming pool and sensory room, is now open in Cumbria.

Pam Waud in the new pool

The Lake District Calvert Trust (LDCT) is offering free use of the facilities for people with disabilities to anyone interested during March.

The water centre near Keswick is the centrepiece of a successful £3.8 million development project.

Sean Day, LDCT director, said: “We are unbelievably proud to be able to bring this pioneering new water centre to Cumbria and the UK.

“As well as the contribution of our major grant-makers, benefactors and trustees, we owe a great debt to our local community for supporting us in this major endeavour.

“We hope that we have given Cumbria something to be proud of for generations to come.”

More than 30 people attended the opening, including chairman of trustees Robin Burgess, chief executive of CN Group which publishes the News & Star, and many trustees themselves.

The project took six years to come to fruition and was heavily funded by the North West Development Agency and Sport England, who donated £1 million and £300,000 respectively.

Many other local and national charitable trusts also donated money.

Ruth Jeffcoate, marketing and fundraising manager, said: “People were really excited to see the cracking new facilities.

“I think it went extremely well, and was a fun day for everybody.”

The water centre was designed by award-winning local architect film Mason Gillibrand, and will help the LDCT continue its programmes for people with profound disabilities, as well as providing hydrotherapy to those with and without disabilities.

The centre features some of the latest technology, including specially adapted hoisting facilities, diverse pool entry options, and interactive wall panels.

Moveable floor chambers and water cannons mean that many different water conditions can be simulated for training purposes.

There is also a ‘green’ heat and power pump system that generates electricity for the centre at the same time as heating the pool.

The water centre is situated at Little Crosthwaite, at the foot of Skiddaw and on the shores of Lake Bassenthwaite.

Free hour-long community swimming sessions at the centre are held between 9.30am and 7.45pm, seven days a week in March.

All sessions, including exclusive facility use, must be booked in advance by calling reception staff on 01768772255.

For more information go to www.calvert-trust.org.uk/lakedistrict or email enquiries@lakedistrict.calvert-trust.org.uk.

First published at 11:23, Wednesday, 09 March 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk