Members of Lake Country's Access & Age-friendly Committee (AAFC) were introduced to a new accessible podium built by parks staff for the Lake Country Council chambers, making the podium accessible for those who may be in a wheelchair.

Previously the committee noted the presentation podium in the council chambers wasn鈥檛 very user-friendly for all citizens and two of the parks' staff took up the challenge to build a podium that was more inclusive and easy to use from a seated position.

鈥淭his project is truly heartwarming and inspiring,鈥� said Marie Molloy, AAFC member. 鈥淚t is a symbol of the best qualities of humankind in action 鈥� ingenuity, compassion and intelligence along with the desire to be a better and more inclusive community.鈥�

The AAFC provides insight and advice to council on issues pertaining to enhanced access to district services for people of every age and ability.

The new podium was designed and built by Nick Garding and Lea Kunz. It features a power mechanism to raise or lower the enlarged table top housing a microphone, keyboard and mouse with enough space for speaking notes 鈥� all designed on an angle that works well for someone from a seated position.

鈥淲e heard the concerns brought forward by the Access & Age-friendly Committee and gave the project to staff to research where to get the appropriate parts and design something that would work well for our community,鈥� said Greg Buchholz, infrastructure services director.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not the usual task that someone in arena ice maintenance would take on; but we鈥檝e got a very passionate team in Lake Country that is resourceful and solution-oriented. So when two of our Parks and Facilities operators came up with an idea, it took them very little time to make it happen.鈥�

鈥淭he new presentation podium is a community example of something truly inspiring,鈥� said Molloy.  鈥淭his innovative, practical and functional solution to a tricky challenge instills awe and inspires community pride.鈥�