Mildura’s newest and biggest sporting venue, the Mildura Sporting Precinct, will soon also be the most accessible as one of the only regional sporting venues in north west Victoria to feature a Changing Places facility.
Changing Places toilets are larger than standard accessible toilets, providing people with disability and high support needs access to suitable, safe, and private bathroom facilities. They include a ceiling hoist, electric height adjustable change table and room for carers to assist.
Councillor for Events and Recreation Mark Eckel said that once installed early next year the new facilities would broaden access for even more spectators and participants.
“The addition of a Changing Places facility is a major step forward in terms of improving access to our region’s premier sporting venue, making our region even more inclusive and welcoming,” Cr Eckel said.
“This in turn will provide a whole raft of new opportunities and experiences.
“It creates more opportunities for people with disability to participate in physical activity, and all the social and physical benefits that flow from that.
“It will also provide more opportunities for spectators who might not otherwise be able to attend sporting venues, which given the calibre of events the precinct has shown it can host, opens up a raft of new experiences for locals to enjoy.
“It will also allow our local sporting groups and clubs to offer more opportunities to their members.”
Mallee Sports Assembly Project Officer Lachlan Giles welcomed the addition of a Changing Places facility at the precinct.
“In terms of planning future programs, having a Changing Places facility at the precinct is definitely a major advantage for us and will make it the most accessible sporting venue by far,” Mr Giles said.
“It will allow us to be even more inclusive in terms of the programs we run.
“And with Mildura looking at the potential to host the Tri State games in the future, having a six-court venue that also features Changing Places facilities will be a major drawcard and a huge benefit to us.”
By featuring a Changing Places facility, the Mildura Sporting Precinct will also be listed on the Changing Places Australia website and the National Public Toilet Map website, which combined with the venue’s proven ability to host state and national events, will help attract even more events, participants and spectators.
The Mildura Sporting Precinct will feature the second of two Changing Places facilities in our region. The Powerhouse precinct will also feature similar facilities, both of which have been funded by the Victorian Government.
