Sunny, but brisk, windy weather on Saturday, May 25, kept swimmers from
opening day at the New Holland Community Memorial Park pool.
Lifeguards Tyler Eckman and Jackie Fisher demonstrate the
"Only the lifeguard staff showed up," said Leo Ward, pool manager.
As the weather warms and pool gets more use, some patrons may be using a new feature — a pool lift for persons with disabilities.
New federal regulations require public pools to install permanent or fixed pool lifts under the Americans With Disabilities Act.
The new lift was installed at the New Holland Pool on April 1 by Main Line Commercial Pools, of King of Prussia, which built it and will also maintain the equipment.
Initially, the installation deadline was last year, but the deadline was extended to 2013, and the regulations were modified. The new regulations eliminate portable lifts.
"I agree a lift is necessary for ADA access to the pool," said Dick Fulcher, New Holland borough manager. "However, I'm disappointed portable lifts are no longer permitted as it would have eliminated the hazard of having a permanent fixture all year at the pool."
Ward explained that when the New Holland pool opened in 1985 in the 400 block of East Jackson Street, the industry standard was steps with railings, before federal ADA regulations were in place.
Head lifeguards Jackie Fisher and Tyler Eckman demonstrated how the lift works: A person sits in the lift seat, fastens a seatbelt, then slowly swings out over the water and is lowered into the pool at a depth of 3.5 feet.
Ward said the simplicity of the lift, operated with a remote control, makes it easy to use. Its weight capacity is 350 pounds.
Cost for the pool lift was $5,200, which was paid by the Community Memorial Park Board through donations.
As the weather warms and pool gets more use, some patrons may be using a new feature — a pool lift for persons with disabilities.
New federal regulations require public pools to install permanent or fixed pool lifts under the Americans With Disabilities Act.
The new lift was installed at the New Holland Pool on April 1 by Main Line Commercial Pools, of King of Prussia, which built it and will also maintain the equipment.
Initially, the installation deadline was last year, but the deadline was extended to 2013, and the regulations were modified. The new regulations eliminate portable lifts.
"I agree a lift is necessary for ADA access to the pool," said Dick Fulcher, New Holland borough manager. "However, I'm disappointed portable lifts are no longer permitted as it would have eliminated the hazard of having a permanent fixture all year at the pool."
Ward explained that when the New Holland pool opened in 1985 in the 400 block of East Jackson Street, the industry standard was steps with railings, before federal ADA regulations were in place.
Head lifeguards Jackie Fisher and Tyler Eckman demonstrated how the lift works: A person sits in the lift seat, fastens a seatbelt, then slowly swings out over the water and is lowered into the pool at a depth of 3.5 feet.
Ward said the simplicity of the lift, operated with a remote control, makes it easy to use. Its weight capacity is 350 pounds.
Cost for the pool lift was $5,200, which was paid by the Community Memorial Park Board through donations.
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