The City of New Westminster announced that təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre has achieved a RHF Accessibility Certified Gold rating under the Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification (RHFAC) program.

The new 10,644 square metre (114,571 square foot) state-of-the-art facility is the City of New Westminster’s largest capital project to date and was thoughtfully designed for people of all ages and abilities.

Achieving a rating score of 84 per cent, the Gold rating affirms the principles of inclusive design and meaningful accessibility that were core aspects of the facility’s planning and detailing. təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre is the first New Westminster facility to receive Gold certification.

“Receiving the Rick Hansen Foundation Gold accessibility certification is a significant achievement for təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre,” said Mayor Patrick Johnstone. “This certification underscores our commitment to creating a welcoming, inclusive space where everyone in our community, regardless of ability, can gather, connect, and fully enjoy the many programs and activities our facility offers.”

RHFAC provides organizations with an understanding of their overall level of meaningful access in the built environment, based on the holistic user experience of people with varying disabilities affecting their mobility, vision, and hearing. To-date, more than 1,750 sites across Canada have been rated through the program.

“Congratulations to the City of New Westminster and the təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre for your commitment to prioritizing meaningful access as one of the core design principles for this state-of-the-art project,” said Brad McCannell, vice president of Access and Inclusion at the Rick Hansen Foundation. “New Westminster’s leadership will not only directly benefit your community but clearly demonstrate the path forward for others striving for the inclusion of people of all ages and abilities as both visitors and employees in their projects.”