On June 5, near the Dolphin beach, the opening of the first accessible beach in Ukraine took place, where a barrier-free environment for disable people was created.
In front of the entrance to the beach with an area of ​​4.5 thousand square meters the red ribbon was solemnly cut by the city mayor Gennady Trukhanov, the creator and patron of the project Yuri Degas and members of the sports club for disabled people "Odessa-Basket".
The beach has a 46-meter ramp, four convenient ramps for launching into the water, electric vehicles for transporting people, changing rooms, showers, a first-aid post, tactile tiles for the blind, children's specialised playgrounds and much more. All services are absolutely free.
Yuriy Degas stressed that this project is unique not only for Ukraine, but also for Europe. And its peculiarity is that it was realised with private funds, as an example of the social responsibility of business to people. According to him, the construction of the beach took about 5 thousand tons of granite, about 30 thousand tons of pebbles, almost 5 thousand tons of sand; it was used so much concrete that would be enough for the construction of a five-story building. During the opening, the investor said that the builders managed to build everything in only 7 months.
I am very glad that we managed to implement everything that was planned. And, of course, I am glad that those for whom we have created an inclusive beach came to the grand opening. This is a huge work of a big team. Everyone has invested their souls to create a truly equal opportunity territory.
Yuriy Degas
After inspecting the new beach area, Yuri Degas raised the Blue Flag, symbolizing the highest comfort, cleanliness and safety of this beach.
Beach visitors checked the first-aid post, entered the showers and toilets on a wheelchairs. The floating amphibious wheelchair, on which you can go down into the water along a ramp was also tested.
In the future, rehabilitation programs will work on the inclusive beach, free group sports, film screenings and charity festivals will be held.
Photo: Dumskaya
