Residents of the City of Windsor now have a new and very large recreational space to enjoy. In December 2008, the City unveiled the Windsor Family Credit Union (WFCU) Centre — a 300,000 square foot multi-complex facility. The centre houses four NHL-size ice rinks, a community centre, a banquet hall, two gymnasiums, a daycare, seven meeting rooms and a seniors’ centre, to name a few. But what’s even more impressive than the facility’s size is just how inclusive it is to people of any age and ability.

“A key component in designing this building was to make sure that it was accessible,” says Doug Sweet, Manager of the WFCU Centre.

And by involving the Windsor Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) right from the beginning, they were able to incorporate accessibility from the ground up.

“They came to the committee with blueprints and designs and asked our advice,” explains Ken Vickers, Chair of the Windsor AAC. “We gave them some suggestions, and they went back and tried to meet what we suggested.”

And, he adds, they succeeded. The result was a building that anyone can access and enjoy, with features such as automatic sliding doors, ramps, elevators, accessible washrooms and dressing rooms, wide hallways, Braille signs, a rink outfitted especially for sledge hockey, accessible viewing and seating areas, and low concession stand and reception area countertops.

“I find it very, very accessible and easy to get around,” says Wayne Meneguzzi, another member on the Windsor AAC who has Multiple Sclerosis and uses a wheelchair.

Wayne has been nothing but impressed by the WFCU Centre’s dedication to make their facility accessible. And to top it off, he says the WFCU’s employees are some of the most accommodating he’s seen.

“The staff wait on you hand and foot, they bring your stuff to your table, they help you open it if you can’t open it,” he explains. “They’re awesome.”

And it’s the WFCU Centre’s expectation that Wayne’s experience not be a unique one, as all staff at the centre went through special training to learn how to better serve customers with disabilities. Doug says that having staff who are educated and able to help all customers only adds to the level of accessibility.

“I think it shows with all our staff having that customer service knowledge, that they can deal with any type of customer that comes through our doors,” he explains.

And that versatility is especially important at the WFCU Centre, since their customers span such a wide range of ages and abilities.

“From seniors, to people with strollers, to a person carrying a hockey bag — it allows for that,” explains Doug. “It makes it that much more enjoyable for all users, be it a preschooler to a senior.”

Both the accessible features and the accessible customer service at the centre mean it’s equipped to meet anyone’s needs, and it is Doug, Ken and Wayne’s hope that it will serve as a positive example for other facilities — showing the advantages of becoming accessible.

“It’s a benefit to us, because we can hit every target market,” says Doug. “If someone wants to come to this facility for any event, they can come and know that it’s barrier-free, and that it should be a positive experience for them.”