Overview

This review is about the gym part of the arena only. I found it to be pretty decent in terms of access for those in a powered wheelchair.

Transport & Parking

There is free parking, disabled bays and wheelchair accessible buses to and from the arena, outside the main entrance. There are no parking bays close to main doors. There is a lowered car park payment machine too.

Access

Entrance to the arena reception is via wide automatic opening doors. There is a wheelchair accessible barrier at reception, this is accessed by card but staff at reception can open if needed. They allow 1 carer free to assist only, if needed. There is a lowered counter at reception but no lowered counter at member sign up counter. The gym is accessed via a lift as it is on 1st floor. To access gym itself you need to swipe a card or use a fob and the doors are not electronic. Usually there is someone who will help if needed but you can be hanging around sometimes waiting. The gym equipment itself is aimed at people with different disabilities. Some can be used direct from your wheelchair, others require transferring. They have 3 hand bikes with removable seats which can be used from your wheelchair. I personally found the machines with swing away seats not suitable for my large powered wheelchair as I was too far forward to reach the handles. They do have plenty of cable machines though which can be used from a large powered wheelchair. There machines have bright yellow accents to act as indicators for those with visual impairments where things are. The machines also have ergonomic handles. I found the machines easy enough to use as they are well maintained as the seat height can change to aid with seated transfers. There are seats dotted all around the arena. The signs are in large print and also have pictures. There is hearing loop at reception.

Toilets

In entrance hall there is a disabled changing room which is accessed by radar key. There is also a shower. Toilet has grab rails and is a right hand transfer. There is a shower seat attached to the wall. There is an emergency alarm cord. There is no locker or place to put your clothes during shower. There was enough space for a carer and it was clean. The changing places toilet is accessed by going through the cafeteria. The doors are electronic with a touch button to open. There are several disabled changing areas in this section however only one changing places. To access changing places toilet you need to turn right and you need a radar key. There is a hoist and changing table as well as a toilet and shower which can be accessed via the hoist. There is no shower wheelchair. They also have a toilet next to changing places toilet with electronically opening doors. I had to ask where the changing places toilet was as the corridor seemed to to on forever. Most of the toilets/changing rooms in this area were not locked. I didn't check them all out as there was a lot of them. One of them had a counter if you needed the support to brush hair etc.

Staff

Staff were helpful but in short supply especially in the gym itself.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

Better signs to get to changing places toilet. Signs on door saying if toilet was left or right transfer could be useful too. I also found emergency cord tied up on the toilet in changing places toilet.

Photos