Access Guide
Introduction
- Services / facilities within the building include a swimming pool, a gym, an exercise studio and sauna/steam facilities.
Opening Times (Gym)
- Monday 06:30 - 21:00.
- Tuesday 06:30 - 21:00.
- Wednesday 06:30 - 21:00.
- Thursday 06:30 - 21:00.
- Friday 06:30 - 21:00.
- Saturday 08:30 - 17:00.
- Sunday 08:30 - 16:30.
Opening Times (Pool)
- Monday 06:30 - 21:00.
- Tuesday 07:00 - 21:00.
- Wednesday 06:30 - 21:00.
- Thursday 07:00 - 21:00.
- Friday 09:00 - 21:00.
- Saturday 09:00 - 15:30.
- Sunday 09:00 - 15:30.
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Comments
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- There is no public swimming from 16:00 to 18:00 on Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday.
Location
- There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
- The nearest National Rail station is Chester-le-Street.
Parking
- The venue does have its own car park.
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Venue Car Park
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- Parking is free for all users.
- The car park is located to the left of the building.
- The car park type is open air/surface.
- There is/are 4 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
- The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 370cm x 500cm (12ft 2in x 16ft 5in).
- The nearest Blue Badge bay is 29m (31yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- The furthest Blue Badge bay is 34m (37yd 7in) from the main entrance.
- The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
- Assistance may be required because there is / are dropped kerbs.
- The car park surface is tarmac.
- There is a dropped kerb between the car park and the venue.
- The dropped kerb does have tactile paving.
- There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
- The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
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Drop-off Point
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- There is not a designated drop off point.
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Comments
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- There are bollards on the dropped kerb.
- The minimum width between the bollards is 164cm.
Outside Access (Main Entrance)
- This information is for the entrance located at the front of the building.
- There is not level access into the venue.
- The main door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 130cm (4ft 3in).
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Second set of doors
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- There is a second set of doors.
- The door(s) open(s) automatically.
- The door(s) is / are double.
- The width of the door opening is 114cm (3ft 9in).
Level Change (Main Entrance)
- There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
- The ramp or slope is located in front of the entrance.
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Comments
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- There are bollards at the top of the slope, between the footpath and the entrance.
- The minimum width between the bollards is 130cm.
Reception
- The desk/counter is 6m (6yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
- The desk/counter is high (110cm+).
- The desk/counter has a low (76cm or lower) section.
- The lighting levels are medium.
- There is a hearing assistance system.
- The type of system is a fixed loop.
- Staff are trained to use the system.
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Comments
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- There is a seating area with vending machines opposite the reception desk.
- The seats do not have armrests.
- There are tables.
- The height of the tables is 69cm.
Inside Access
- There is level access to the service(s).
- This venue does play background music.
- Music is played throughout the building.
- Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.
- The lighting levels are medium.
Fitness Suite
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Access to Fitness Suite
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- The fitness suite is located on the right as you enter the building, just beyond the reception desk.
- The fitness suite is 12m (13yd 4in) from the main entrance.
- There is step free access to the fitness suite.
- There are doors into the fitness suite.
- The doors open away from you (push).
- The doors are double.
- The doors are heavy.
- The opening is 88cm wide.
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Fitness Suite (General)
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- Staff receive no training in assisting disabled people.
- Equipment suitable for mobility or sensory impaired users includes hand bikes, and 3 adapted upper body machines with removable seats.
- A portable hearing loop is available for induction.
- Staff are trained to use the portable hearing loop.
- There is clear manoeuvring space between equipment.
- There is level access to all of the equipment.
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Comments
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- The door is double with one locked leaf.
- Photograph 5 shows one of the adapted upper body machines with the seat removed to allow access for a wheelchair user.
Swimming Pool
- There is level access from the changing area to the swimming pool.
- There is not a ramped entrance into the water.
- There is a wet side chair available.
- There is a hoist for wheelchair users to access the water.
- The hoist is hydraulic.
- There are steps into the swimming pool.
- There are 4 steps.
- The steps do have handrails.
- The handrails are on both sides.
- There is a ladder type entrance into the water.
- There is a handrail on both sides of the ladder.
Changing Places
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Location and access
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- The facility is located along the corridor to the rear left of the reception foyer, just before the changing village.
- The facility is approximately 24m (26yd 9in) from the main entrance.
- There is level access to the facility.
- The width of the door is 84cm (2ft 9in).
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Dimensions and features
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- The dimensions of the facility are 295cm x 397cm (9ft 8in x 13ft).
- The facility changing bench height is adjustable.
- The facility changing bench is wall mounted.
- The length of the facility changing bench is 178cm (5ft 10in).
- The facility hoist is powered overhead.
- The overhead hoist covers all areas in cubicle.
- The sling is attached to the hoist by hook and loop.
- The facility toilet has a transfer space on both sides.
- The transfer space on the left as you face the toilet is 205cm (6ft 9in).
- The transfer space on the right as you face the toilet is 97cm (3ft 2in).
- Wall mounted grab rails are available.
- As you face the toilet the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- Drop down rails are provided.
- As you face the toilet the drop down rail(s) is/are on both sides.
- The type of wash basin is fixed.
- Wall mounted grab rails are available at the wash basin.
- As you face the wash basin, the wall mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- Disposal facilities are available.
- A privacy screen is not available.
- Wide tear off paper roll is not available.
- The facility has a non-slip floor.
- A functioning emergency alarm is not available.
- It is out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from the floor).
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Comments
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- There are 2 doors to enter the changing place.
- The nearest door to the main entrance is located on the corridor before the changing village and opens inwards.
- The other door is located in the changing village and opens outwards.
- The doors are both accessed by keycode.
- The keycode can be obtained from reception.
Accessible Shower (Changing Place)
- Accessible shower facilities are available.
- The accessible shower(s) surveyed is/are located within the changing place.
- The facilities available in the accessible shower(s) include; an adjustable shower head, handrails and a flip-down seat.
- The height of the seat is 46cm (1ft 6in).
- Other facilities available include; drop down rails on both sides.
- There is level access to the services from the accessible shower facilities.
Accessible Shower (Dry Side - Standard Female Changing Room)
- Accessible shower facilities are available.
- The accessible shower(s) surveyed is/are located within the changing room.
- The facilities available in the accessible shower(s) include; an adjustable shower head, handrails and a flip-down seat.
- The height of the seat is 47cm (1ft 7in).
- There is level access to the services from the accessible shower facilities.
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Comments
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- There is a similar accessible shower located in the dry side male changing room.
Toilet with Adaptations
- Accessible toilet facilities are available.
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Location and Access
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- The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
- There is written text, tactile, Braille and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
- This accessible toilet is approximately 16m (17yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- This accessible toilet is located along the corridor to the rear left of the foyer, leading to the changing rooms.
- There is level access to this accessible toilet.
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Features and Dimensions
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- This is a unisex toilet.
- A key is required for the accessible toilet.
- The key is a radar key.
- The key can be obtained from reception.
- The door opens outwards.
- The door is locked by a locking handle.
- The width of the accessible toilet door is 85cm (2ft 9in).
- The door is heavy.
- The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 153cm x 224cm (5ft x 7ft 4in).
- There is sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
- There is a lateral transfer space.
- As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
- The lateral transfer space is 86cm (2ft 10in).
- There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
- There is a flush on the transfer side.
- The tap type is lever.
- There is a mixer tap.
- There is an emergency alarm.
- The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
- Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
- There is a/are non-infectious waste, clinical waste and sanitary disposal units.
- There is a/are coat hook(s).
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Position of Fixtures
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- Wall-mounted grab rails are available.
- As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
- There is a shelf within the accessible toilet.
- The shelf is not higher than 95cm (3ft 1in).
- There is not a mirror.
- The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 49cm (1ft 7in).
- There is a hand dryer.
- The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the hand dryer is 112cm (3ft 8in).
- There is not a towel dispenser.
- There is a toilet roll holder.
- The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The toilet roll holder is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
- The height of the toilet roll holder is 114cm (3ft 9in).
- There is a wash basin.
- The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
- The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
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Colour Contrast and Lighting
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- The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
- There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
- The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
- There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
- The contrast between the walls and floor is fair.
- The lighting levels are medium.
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Baby Change Facilities
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- Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
- Baby change facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
- The height of the baby change table once extended is 80cm (2ft 7in).
Standard Changing Room (Changing Village)
- There is a/are standard changing room(s) available.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 26m (28yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 20m (21yd 2ft) from the reception desk.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 2m (2yd 7in) from the swimming pool.
- The standard changing room(s) surveyed is/are located along the corridor to the rear left of the foyer.
- There is level access to the standard changing room(s).
- Shower facilities are available within the changing room(s).
- There is level access to the shower facilities.
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Comments
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- There are 2 family changing cubicles with baby change facilities.
- The height of the baby change is 69cm.
- There are 2 lockers next to the changing place which have a recess underneath for wheelchair users to use (shown in photograph 4).
Standard Changing Room (Dry Side - Female)
- There is a/are standard changing room(s) available.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 26m (28yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 20m (21yd 2ft) from the reception desk.
- The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 16m (17yd 1ft) from the fitness suite.
- The standard changing room(s) surveyed is/are located along the corridor to the rear left of the foyer.
- There is level access to the standard changing room(s).
- Shower facilities are available within the changing room(s).
- There is level access to the shower facilities.
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Comments
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- Male facilities are also available.
Standard Toilet(s)
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Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
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- Standard toilet facilities are available.
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Access to Standard Female Toilet(s)
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- The female toilet facilities that were surveyed are located along the corridor to the rear left of the foyer, leading to the changing rooms.
- The female toilet(s) is/are approximately 21m (22yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the female toilet(s).
- An ambulant toilet cubicle with wall mounted grab rails is available.
- Lighting levels are medium.
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Access to Standard Male Toilet(s)
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- The male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located along the corridor to the rear left of the foyer, leading to the changing rooms.
- The male toilet(s) is/are approximately 19m (20yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
- Inside the venue, there is level access to the male toilet(s).
- An ambulant toilet cubicle with wall mounted grab rails is available.
- Lighting levels are medium.
Additional Info
- Documents are not available in Braille.
- Documents can be requested in large print.
- A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
- An assistance dog toilet area can be provided onsite.
- The assistance dog toilet area is located on the grass areas surrounding the building.
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Comments
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- Access to Wi-Fi is available.