Clarington creating accessible spaces with the installation of mobility device charging stations

Clarington, Ontario – With a quick cut of a blue ribbon, Clarington has unveiled some 15 locations across the Municipality equipped with mobility device charging stations.

“This is another milestone in our commitment to removing barriers across the community and allowing everyone access to our indoor and outdoor spaces. This is a great initiative that will support people using scooters, wheelchairs and other mobility devices to get around, knowing that they can stop and charge at any time in numerous locations across the community,” said Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster.

“It is important for communities to continue evolving and creating inclusive spaces for everyone. People with disabilities face additional challenges when getting around. These charging stations will remove barriers and ensure that residents can boost their battery around town, whether on a trail or inside a community facility,” said Shea-Lea Latchford, Chair of Clarington’s Accessibility Advisory Committee.

Left to right: Councillor Margaret Zwart, Sylvia Jaspers-Fayer, Vice Chair of Clarington’s Accessibility Advisory Committee; Shea-Lea Latchford, Chair of Clarington’s Accessibility Advisory Committee, Mayor Adrian Foster, Councillor Ron Hooper.

Clarington’s mobility device charging stations are installed in multiple locations:

Outdoor locations:

• Port Darlington East Beach Park, 54 East Beach Road in Bowmanville
• Guildwood Park, 180 Guildwood Drive in Bowmanville
• Clarington Fields, 2375 Baseline Road West in Bowmanville
• Bond Head Parkette on the pier at the beach located on the corner of Mill Street South and Boulton Street along the lake in the park
• Orono Park (near the splash pad), 61 Princess Street in Orono
• Orono Town Hall, 5315 Main Street in Orono
• Harry Gay Neighbourhood Park, 179 Harry Gay Drive in Courtice

Mobility device charging station in Orono Park

Indoor locations:

• Courtice Community Complex, 2950 Courtice Road in Courtice
• South Courtice Arena, 1595 Prestonvale Road in Courtice
• Diane Hamre Recreation Complex, 1780 Rudell Road in Newcastle
• Bowmanville Older Adult Association, 26 Beech Avenue in Bowmanville
• Clarington Public Library - Bowmanville Branch, 163 Church Street in Bowmanville
• Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex (west entrance on Pad A), 2440 Durham Regional Highway 2 in Bowmanville
• Newcastle Public Library, 150 King Avenue East in Newcastle
• Newcastle Memorial Arena, 103 Caroline Street West in Newcastle

There are a couple of new charging stations that will be built at additional locations in the near future. This project is funded in part through a grant from the Inclusive Communities program awarded by the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility. Clarington received a grant for $58,760 to help build this infrastructure.

The Municipality would like to thank our Accessibility Advisory Committee for their work in supporting this project and identifying the locations for the charging stations.

These convenient charging stations were built to allow users to charge their wheelchairs and scooters while on the go. The charging station includes 24-volt 5 amp charger for wheelchairs/scooters. There is also a USB port so that users can charge their phones or tablets at the same time.

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Media inquiries:
Municipality of Clarington
Basia Radomski
Communications Manager
905-623-3379 ext. 2214 or bradomski@clarington.net