Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre offers a wide range of accessible facilities to accommodate all needs. Everyone Active’s goal is to encourage everyone to participate in 30 minutes of activity 5 days a week, and our facilities allow this goal to be achieved. Please see our accessibility information below:

Reception

There is a slope at the main entrance to the building with automatic doors to the main reception, and an accessible gate alongside the main reception desk.

Lifts

There is a passenger lift to enable access to the gym on the first floor of the facility. The lift has enough space for wheelchair access and lift controls are accessible. The lift provides an audible announcement informing users of doors opening and closing and floor reached.

Accessible Toilet

An accessible toilet is located at main reception. This has been enlarged to provide sufficient space for wheelchair users and has a peninsular toilet.

Registered Changing Places facility

This facility has an electronic hoist which covers almost the whole of the changing room. There is a height adjustable bench, a height adjustable wash basin and a peninsular toilet. This is particularly suitable for wheelchair users and can be used either by customers using the Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre or disabled people who are visiting Stowmarket. It is well located for use as a changing room for the swimming pool. Customers should bring their own slings to use with the hoist. The slings need to be of a looped fixing type (NOT a plastic clip type made by Arjo). An automatic door allows easy access to and from poolside for customers using the Changing Places facility.

Changing – wetside

Two cubicles in the main swimming pool changing room have been adapted to make them more suitable for disabled people, with one of these cubicles having its own shower with seat, its own toilet, as well as a fixed height changing bench. This is particularly suitable for customers with mobility issues who may have a carer with them. The other cubicle has been enlarged and has a fixed height changing bench.

Changing – dryside

There is an accessible Changing Room next to the gym which has its own shower with seat and its own toilet. There is a large leaf door at the access to the gym changing rooms/gym.

Poolside Facilities

There are two hoists to assist disabled customers getting in and out of the pool: a traditional mechanical hoist and a state of the art Pool Pod which is a battery powered hoist. In addition, there is a sloping set of steps with adjacent hand rails in the swimming pool to assist customers with mobility difficulties to get in out of the water.

Gym Facilities

There is an accessible gate at the gym reception. Within the gym we have an Ergo bike which is specifically designed for wheelchair users, so the seat can be removed and a wheelchair locked into place. The fitness suite has Inclusive Fitness Initiative accredited equipment.

Catering & Vending

The Café counters and displays are accessible to wheelchair users and there is a table waiting services available for customers who require it upon request and staff.

Activity Provision

The facility provides a wide range of additional activities, opportunities and events which are accessible and inclusive.

For further information about our facilities and activities for disabled people please phone 01449 674980.