The city is looking at ways to make the E.A. Rawlinson Centre more accessible for those with disabilities. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Charlene Tebbutt

accessibility

City looking at options around accessibility at E.A. Rawlinson Centre

Feb 28, 2019 | 4:00 PM

The City of Prince Albert is looking at options to improve accessibility at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre for those with disabilities.

Mayor Greg Dionne said he’s interested in seeing what can be done to make it easier for disabled people to attend local shows and events at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre. Dionne said people with mobility issues often have to sit at the top of the seating area when attending events, which poses problems for those with vision or hearing impairments.

City council asked for a report on the issue to come back for council’s meeting April 9.

Roxanne Dicke, general manager with the E.A. Rawlinson Centre, said the report is still in the preliminary stages. The organization is also looking at ways to better communicate ways the centre is already working to accommodate people with disabilities.

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“We just really don’t have the firm plan of action yet,” Dicke said Thursday on the report. “Right now, it’s just costs. We just have to figure out what that would look like for costs and for the structure of the building, the way it was builit.”

Dicke said Rawlinson staff already offer audio enhancers for those with hearing impairments and designated seating for wheelchairs. She said they have also been looking into apps that can help enhance patron experiences.

“Having the public know that they can come to us and to our front of house and make sure that we are making their experience as positive and accessible as it can be … the space is a community space and it needs to be a community space for everybody.”

Dionne suggested some seats could be taken out of the front rows on the main floor of the centre, and a chairlift installed to allow for easier access. He asked administration to look into possible funding opportunities for the work as well.

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charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt