Fishers Community Center tour yields accessibility recommendations including pool water wheelchairs and adult changing tables

Committee members reported back on a tour of the new Fishers Community Center, noting multiple accessibility suggestions the planning team received during the walkthrough.

Molly said the center is scheduled to open Nov. 1, “I believe,” and that committee members recommended specific accommodations during the review. Suggestions included a wheelchair-evacuation method from the second floor to the first floor, additional strobe lights in key areas, accessible exit and door buttons and closed captioning for classes such as fitness and bike classes.

Committee members said planners accepted several recommendations and will incorporate changes into planning and programming. Molly said the center is purchasing two water wheelchairs and that staff discussed where to locate adult changing tables and accessible sinks where wheelchairs can roll beneath the counter. The committee displayed photos of a ramp entering the pool area and the adult changing table as examples of planned accommodations.

The committee also noted a free indoor walking and running track and community rooms. Staff said memberships are available through the fisherscommunitycenter.com website. Attendees discussed workforce and programming partnerships, asking whether organizations that provide facility-based services (referred to as “outside the box” in the meeting) would have space in the center; staff said the original outside-the-box plan could not be accommodated because demand for general community space is high and the center’s footprint is tight.

Speakers said the city is discussing adaptive programming and workforce connections that could allow people with disabilities to participate in employment opportunities at the center, such as cafeteria roles, pending any applicable screening or training requirements.