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Sports Centre

Coventry University, Whitefriars Street, Coventry, CV1 2JH

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Access Guide

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Introduction

  • Comments View
    • There are no external entrances into the Sports Centre. It is necessary to pass through the Alison Gingell Building to access the Sports Centre.

Useful Information

Getting Here

  • By Road View
    • Coventry lies at the heart of a motorway network. Once you get to the city centre there are signposts to the university from all the relevant ring road junctions.
      From London: follow the M1, leaving it at Junction 17 onto the M45. At the end of the M45, continue along the A45 and follow the signs for the city centre.
      From East Anglia and eastern England: Take the A14 until it meets the M1/M6 interchange. Then take the M6 to Junction 2 and follow signs for the city centre.
      From southern England: take the A34 to the M40. Leave the M40 at Junction 15, then take the A46 and follow signs for the city centre.
      From the southwest: take the M5, then the M42, leaving the M42 at Junction 6. Follow the A45 to Coventry. From South Wales: follow the M4 to the M5, then as above.
      From western Scotland and the Northwest: leave the M6 at Junction 3 and follow the signs for Coventry city centre.
      From the North: take the M1 to Junction 21, then to the end of the M69, following signs for Coventry city centre.
    • There is a small car park in front of the Alison Gingell Building off Whitefriars Street.
      There are also numerous car parks located nearby including the Multi-Storey Staff Car Park on Gosford Street.
      There are also the Gosford Street, Grove Street and Lower Ford Public Car Parks Located nearby.
  • By Bus View
    • Pool Meadow bus and coach station is located five minutes' walk from the University's main reception in the Alan Berry building.
      For details of local bus/coach/train times and destinations please contact the bus station enquiry line on: +44 (0) 24 7655 9559.
      National Express offers connections between Coventry and other major cities around the UK. If you travel from Birmingham Airport you can take line number 900 bus to Pool Meadow station.
      Other Bus Stops are located nearer the Whitefriars / Jordan Well Area. Including Whitefriars (Stop LC) which serves route 735.
      As well as Earl Street (Stop MP1) which is located on Much Park Street and serves routes 1, 11, 11U, 12X, 41, 539, 580, U17 and X17.
  • By Train View
    • Whitefriars Street is approximately 0.8 miles from Coventry Train Station and should take approximate 16 minutes to reach by foot.
      Coventry is on the main intercity route. Trains from London (Euston) leave every 30 minutes throughout most of the day with journey times of 1 hour to 80 minutes. It takes approximately 20 minutes to reach Coventry from Birmingham International Station.
      There are also daily services from Scotland and the Northwest, from Bristol, the Southwest and South Wales. In addition, there are frequent services from Oxford, Southampton and Bournemouth, as well as Nuneaton, Rugby, Birmingham New Street and Birmingham International (for Birmingham International Airport and the National Exhibition Centre). Check the National Rail Enquiries website for more information.
  • Useful Links View
  • AccessAble Related Links View

Building Parking

  • The building does have its own dedicated parking.
  • Building Car Park View
    • The car park can be used by visitors and Blue Badge holders.
    • There are no parking charges that apply on the day.
    • The car park is located on Whitefriars Lane.
    • The car park type is open air/surface.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • Designated Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • There is/are 5 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
    • The Blue Badge bay(s) is/are clearly marked.
    • The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 230cm x 468cm (7ft 7in x 15ft 4in).
    • The dimensions of the designated bays do not vary in size.
    • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do need to be booked in advance.
    • The nearest designated bay is 60m (65yd 1ft) from the east entrance.
    • The route from the car park to the building is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
    • Assistance may be required because there is / are dropped kerbs.
    • The dropped kerb between the car park and the building does have tactile paving.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
  • Site/Campus Car Parks View
    • There is not a site/campus car park within approximately 200m.
  • Public Car Parks View
    • There is a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
    • There is a/are Blue Badge parking bay(s) available within the car park.
    • The name of the car park is Whitefriars Car Park.
    • The car park is located on Whitefriars Street.
  • On Street Parking View
    • Clearly signed and/or marked on street Blue Badge parking bays are available.
    • The dimensions of the marked Blue Badge bays are 250cm x 600cm (8ft 2in x 19ft 8in).
    • The on street Blue Badge parking bay(s) is/are located on Whitefriars Street.
    • Clearly signed and/or standard marked parking bays are not available.
    • The on street standard parking bay(s) is/are located on Whitefriars Street.
    • The standard parking is not marked into individual bays. The width of the standard parking bays is 250cm.
  • Drop Off Point View
    • There is not a designated drop off point.

Outside Access (East Side)

  • Entrance View
    • This information is for the entrance located at the eastern side of the building, on Whitefriars Street.
    • There is step free access at this entrance.
    • There is not a bell/buzzer.
    • There is an intercom.
    • The height of the intercom is 115cm (3ft 9in).
    • A key card is required for access at this entrance.
    • The height of the card reader/lock is 104cm (3ft 5in).
    • There is a canopy or recess which provides weather protection at this entrance.
    • The main door(s) open(s) automatically (towards you).
    • The door(s) is / are single.
    • The width of the door opening is 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • Step(s) View
    • There is a / are step(s) at this entrance.
    • The step(s) is / are located in front of the entrance.
    • There is / are 3 step(s) to access the entrance.
    • There is tactile paving at the top and bottom of the step(s).
    • The step(s) is / are clearly marked.
    • The step(s) is / are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The handrails are on both sides.
  • Comments View
    • The steps can be overcome by using the footpath to the right as you face the entrance, which has a very slight gradient.

Reception (Sports Centre)

  • The Sports Centre reception is located in front of you on entrance.
  • The desk is 15m (16yd 1ft) from the east side entrance.
  • The reception area is clearly visible from the entrance.
  • There is step free access to this reception area.
  • The lighting levels in the reception area are bright.
  • The reception desk/counter is high (110cm+).
  • There is not a low section of the counter (76cm or below) available.
  • The desk is staffed.
  • There is a hearing assistance system.
  • The type of system is a fixed loop.
  • The hearing assistance system is signed.
  • Comments View
    • There is a gate with a width of 92cm and a turnstile with a width of 55cm to access the Sports Centre.

Getting Around

  • Access View
    • There is step free access throughout the building via lift(s).
    • There are not doors in corridors which have to be opened manually.
  • Getting Around View
    • There is clear signage for building facilities/areas in the foyer/reception area.
    • There is clearly written directional signage at key points of circulation routes.
    • There is some flooring in corridors which is shiny and could cause issues with glare or look slippery to some people.
    • There is good colour contrast between the walls and floor in all areas.
    • The lighting levels are good.
    • This building does play background music.
    • Music is played in the Reception Area, Changing Rooms and Fitness Suite.
    • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • Comments View
    • The flooring in the Minor Hall, Main Hall and Studio is shiny and may appear slippery.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G and 1.
    • The stairs are located to your right after entering the Sports Centre.
    • The stairs are approximately 21m from the east side entrance.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The lighting levels are bright.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are deep (18cm+).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.

Lift

  • There is a lift for public use.
  • The lift is located to your right past the reception barriers.
  • The lift is a standard lift.
  • The floors which are accessible by this lift are G and 1.
  • Wall mounted information boards are not provided at lift landings.
  • There are manual, heavy, single doors to access the lift lobby on the first floor.
  • The lift is approximately 19m (20yd 2ft) from the east side entrance.
  • Staff do not need to be notified for use of the lift.
  • The clear door width is 80cm (2ft 7in).
  • The dimensions of the lift are 104cm x 142cm (3ft 5in x 4ft 8in).
  • There are not separate entry and exit doors in the lift.
  • There is a mirror to aid reversing out of the lift.
  • The lift does have a visual floor indicator.
  • The lift does have an audible announcer.
  • The lift does not have a hearing loop system.
  • The lift does not have Braille markings.
  • The lift does not have tactile markings.
  • The controls for the lift are within 90cm - 120cm from the floor.
  • The lighting level in the lift is bright.

Fitness Suite

  • Access to Fitness Suite View
    • The fitness suite is located to your right on exiting the lift.
    • The fitness suite is 6m (6yd 1ft) from the lift.
    • There is step free access to the fitness suite.
    • Level access is by lift.
    • There are doors into the fitness suite.
    • The doors open towards you (pull).
    • The doors are double.
    • The doors are heavy.
    • The opening is 160cm wide.
  • IFI Accredited Fitness Suite View
    • A number of staff have received IFI Mark standard Disability Equality Training.
    • IFI accredited equipment is available.
    • For example: treadmill, upper body ergometer and upper body multi-station.
    • There is not clear manoeuvring space between equipment.
    • There is level access to all of the equipment.

Standard Changing Room

  • There is a/are standard changing room(s) available.
  • The standard changing room(s) surveyed is/are located along the ground floor corridor.
  • The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 25m (27yd 1ft) from the east side entrance.
  • The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the reception desk.
  • The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 16m (17yd 1ft) from the main hall.
  • There is level access to the standard changing room(s).

Accessible Toilet

  • Accessible toilet facilities are available.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is tactile and pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 27m (29yd 1ft) from the east side entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located along the ground floor corridor.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a shared toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 86cm (2ft 10in).
    • The door is heavy.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 152cm x 250cm (4ft 12in x 8ft 2in).
    • There is a clear 150cm x 150cm manoeuvring space in the accessible toilet.
    • There is a lateral transfer space.
    • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
    • The lateral transfer space is 78cm (2ft 7in).
    • 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 pull cord alarm in the cubicle.
    • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
    • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
    • There is a/are female sanitary and non-infectious waste disposal units.
    • There is a/are coat hook(s).
  • Position of Fixtures View
    • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
    • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
    • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is a mirror.
    • Mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 48cm (1ft 7in).
    • There is a hand dryer.
    • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
    • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • 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 not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
    • 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
    • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
    • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
    • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is fair.
    • There is a fair colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
    • The toilet seat colour contrast is poor.
    • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
    • The lighting levels are bright.

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Location of Standard Toilet(s) View
    • There are male and female standard toilets facilities on the ground floor.
  • Standard Toilet Surveyed View
    • A male standard toilet was surveyed.
    • The toilet surveyed is located in the male standard changing room.
    • There is step free access to the standard toilet(s) surveyed from the entrance.
    • The standard toilet surveyed is approximately 30m from the main entrance.
    • There is not a/are not cubicle(s) suitable for ambulant disabled people in the standard toilet(s) surveyed.
    • Lighting levels in the standard toilet surveyed are good.