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Hetton Community Pool & Wellness Centre

Bernard Park, Hetton-le-Hole, Tyne & Wear, DH5 9LZ

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Access Guide

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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.
  • Comments View
    • 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.
  • Venue Car Park View
    • 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.
  • Drop-off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • 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).
  • Second set of doors View
    • 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.
  • Comments View
    • 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.
  • Comments View
    • 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

  • Access to Fitness Suite View
    • 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.
  • Fitness Suite (General) View
    • 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.
  • Comments View
    • 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

  • Location and access View
    • 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).
  • Dimensions and features View
    • 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).
  • Comments View
    • 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.
  • Comments View
    • There is a similar accessible shower located in the dry side male changing room.

Toilet with Adaptations

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • 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.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • 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).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • 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).
  • Colour Contrast and Lighting View
    • 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.
  • Baby Change Facilities View
    • 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.
  • Comments View
    • 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.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
    • Standard toilet facilities are available.
  • Access to Standard Female Toilet(s) View
    • 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.
  • Access to Standard Male Toilet(s) View
    • 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.