Overview

This sports centre has plenty to offer through the Sport for Confidence programme. Various sports are on offer including boccia, curling, volleyball, street hockey, netball, rugby and basketball amongst others. Yoga is available in the studio upstairs, where there is also a gym accessible by a lift. There are two swimming pools. A shallow, warmer one and a larger pool which is usually split into two by a boom. The deeper end has lanes for serious swimming. A hoist is available and also a chair transfer. There is also a café on the site.

Transport & Parking

The car park is always very busy and unfortunately at the first hint of rain the disabled bays are flooded to quite a depth. (See photo). A bus goes to the retail park across the other side of the dual carriageway but it is still quite a walk to go through the subway.

Access

The entrance is wide and flat and has automatic doors. The only hiccup is that once you have paid you need to get the reception staff to open the wheelchair access electronically. It can be difficult to get their attention when you want to leave. The café is open plan and easy to access. There is a lift to the swimming pool viewing gallery and a reserved area for wheelchair users. Chairs are also available at various points.

Toilets

The 'dry' sports disabled toilet is very narrow and whilst it has plenty of grab handles is not accessible to wheelchair users. There are however toilets in the swimming pool changing rooms and also showers. There is also a moveable changing table with hoist in one changing room.

Staff

I would give 5 stars to the Sorts for confidence coaches and ambassadors. The reception team however are very slow and you need to allow plenty of time to book in as queues regularly form.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

The Sport for Confidence groups do what they say and encourage everyone regardless of ability to join in and are friendly and welcoming. There are different sports on different days so it is worth ringing the centre to find out what is on. Lyndsey Barrett OT is the person in charge of these overall.

Photos