Skip to main content

Centre for Sport and Exercise

Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS

View Accessibility Symbols

Accessibility Symbols

For more information about what these symbols mean, view our Accessibility Symbols Guide.

Close this popup window.

Access Guide

Show Easy Read

Introduction

  • Services / facilities within the building include 2 sports halls, squash courts, Conditioning Suite, Cardiovascular Suite, Strength and Conditioning Centre and the East of Scotland Institute of Sport.

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:30 - 21:30.
  • Tuesday 08:30 - 21:30.
  • Wednesday 08:30 - 21:30.
  • Thursday 08:30 - 21:30.
  • Friday 08:30 - 21:30.
  • Saturday 09:00 - 21:30.
  • Sunday 09:00 - 21:30.
  • Comments View
    • During the summer vacation, all facilities close at 17.00 at weekends..

Location

  • The venue is situated outside the centre of the city.
  • This venue is situated in Riccarton Campus.
  • The nearest mainline station is Curriehill.
  • There is a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
  • Comments View
    • The Riccarton Campus is located on the western edge of Edinburgh.

Parking

  • The venue does have its own car park.
  • Parking is not free for all users.
  • Parking is free for Blue Badge holders.
  • The car park type is open air/surface.
  • Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders cannot booked in advance.
  • There is/are 8 Blue Badge parking bay(s) within the car park.
  • The dimensions of the Blue Badge parking bay(s) are 450cm x 350cm (14ft 9in x 11ft 6in).
  • Venue Car Park View
    • Designated parking bays are clearly marked.
    • The nearest Blue Badge bay is 64m (69yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • The furthest Blue Badge bay is 78m (85yd 11in) 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 slopes/ramps.
    • The car park surface is tarmac.
    • There is not a road to cross between the car park and the entrance.
    • The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
    • There is not a designated drop off point.
  • Comments View
    • The car park at the front of the Sports Centre only contains designated bays.
    • This is the main accessible parking area for the campus.
    • The nearest standard car park is Car Park F. A permit is required to park here.
    • Visitor parking is located in Car Parks A and B.

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 115cm (3ft 9in).
  • 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 125cm (4ft 1in).

Level Change (Main Entrance)

  • There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
  • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.

Inside Access

  • There is level access to the service(s).
  • There is not a hearing assistance system.
  • This venue does not play background music.
  • The lighting levels are medium.
  • Motorised scooters are welcomed in public parts of the venue.

Sports Ground (Squash)

  • Non-Segregated Seating View
    • Home and Away wheelchair users do not have separate seating areas.
    • Wheelchair users have a designated accessible seating area.
    • There is level access to the designated seating area.
    • Wheelchair seating is located at the front and rear of the stand.
    • The view from this area is good.
    • A companion can sit beside / near you.
    • Accessible toilets are available.
    • The accessible toilet is located off the main corridor.
    • There is not an audio description service.
    • There are step free seats in the rear row on the 1st floor, accessible via lift.
  • Comments View
    • There are clearly marked medium height steps with handrails on either side of the stands.

Other Floors

  • Steps View
    • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G-1.
    • There are 15+ steps between floors.
    • The lighting levels are medium.
    • The steps are clearly marked.
    • The steps are medium (11cm - 17cm).
    • The steps do have handrails.
    • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
    • There is a landing.
  • Comments View
    • The services on other floors which are not accessible include the Cardiovascular Suite, staff offices, meeting room, chillout zone and lounge, the East of Scotland Institute of Sport, squash courts and sports hall viewing galleries.
    • These stairs are located in the main reception area. There are similar steps located along to corridor leading from reception, next to the squash courts.

Fitness Suite (Conditioning Suite)

  • Access to Fitness Suite View
    • The fitness suite is located along the corridor leading from the reception area.
    • The fitness suite is 23m (25yd 6in) from the main entrance.
    • There is step free access to the fitness suite.
  • Fitness Suite (General) View
    • Staff receive some training in assisting disabled people.
    • Training provided is Equality and Diversity.
    • Equipment suitable for mobility or sensory impaired users includes Nautilus Freedom Trainer, weights machines.
    • A portable hearing loop is not available for induction.
    • There is clear manoeuvring space between equipment.
    • There is level access to all of the equipment.
  • Comments View
    • The Cardiovascular Suite on the 1st floor contains bikes, treadmills and cross trainers with high visibility markings for people with visual impairments.
    • The Strength and Conditioning Centre, located in the far corner of the building from reception, has some free weights which are accessible to people with mobility impairments.

Accessible Changing Room

  • There is an/are accessible changing room(s) available.
  • The accessible changing room(s) surveyed is/are located in the corridor leading from the reception area.
  • The accessible changing room(s) is/are approximately 32m (34yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
  • The accessible changing room(s) is/are approximately 9m (9yd 2ft) from the Conditioning Suite.
  • The accessible changing room(s) is/are approximately 25m (27yd 1ft) from the reception desk.
  • The dimensions of the accessible changing room(s) are 196cm x 213cm (6ft 5in x 6ft 12in).
  • The fixtures/facilities available in the accessible changing room(s) include; handrails and a wheel in shower.
  • Other fixtures/facilities available include; adapted toilet.
  • There is level access to the accessible changing room(s).
  • Comments View
    • There is also a changing room located next to the adapted cubicle, which has level access, and also level access standard showers.
    • This can be used by people with mobility impairments on request.

Accessible Shower

  • Accessible shower facilities are available.
  • The accessible shower(s) surveyed is/are located in the adapted changing room.
  • The facilities available in the accessible shower(s) include; handrails and a flip down seat.
  • The height of the seat is 46cm (1ft 6in).
  • There is level access to the services from the accessible shower facilities.

Accessible Toilet

  • There are accessible toilet facilities within this venue.
  • Location and Access View
    • The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
    • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
    • This accessible toilet is approximately 30m (32yd 2ft) from the main entrance.
    • This accessible toilet is located in the corridor leading off the reception area, next to the accessible changing room.
    • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
  • Features and Dimensions View
    • This is a unisex toilet.
    • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
    • The door opens outwards.
    • The door is locked by a locking handle.
    • The width of the accessible toilet door is 83cm (2ft 9in).
    • The door is light.
    • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 150cm x 217cm (4ft 11in x 7ft 1in).
    • There is not 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 80cm (2ft 7in).
    • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
    • There is a flush, however it is not 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 not fully functional.
    • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
    • Disposal facilities are not available in the cubicle.
    • There is not a/are not 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 not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
    • There is not a mirror.
    • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 46cm (1ft 6in).
    • 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 122cm (4ft).
    • 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.
  • Comments View
    • There is a similar adapted toilet within the adapted changing room.

Standard Changing Room

  • There is a/are standard changing room(s) available.
  • The standard changing room(s) surveyed is/are located in the corridor leading off the reception area.
  • The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 28m (30yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
  • The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 21m (22yd 2ft) from the reception desk.
  • The standard changing room(s) is/are approximately 10m (10yd 2ft) from the Conditioning Suite.
  • There is not level access to the standard changing room(s).

Level Change (Standard Changing Rooms and Toilets)

  • There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
  • The step(s) is/are located leading up to each changing room.
  • There is/are 3 step(s) to the area/service.
  • The lighting levels at the step(s) are medium.
  • The step(s) is/are clearly marked.
  • The step(s) is/are deep (18cm+).
  • There is not a/are not handrail(s) at the step(s).

Standard Toilet(s)

  • Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s) View
    • The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located in the standard changing rooms.
    • The female and male toilets are approximately 28m (30yd 1ft) from the main entrance.
    • Inside the venue, there is not level access to the female and male toilets.
    • Lighting levels are medium.
  • Comments View
    • There are also staff only standard toilets located on the 1st floor.

Additional Info

  • Staff do receive disability awareness / equality training.
  • Documents can be requested in Braille.
  • Documents can be requested in large print.
  • A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.
  • This service can be requested.
  • Staff are Text Relay aware.
  • Comments View
    • The photographs show the standard changing room with level access, located next to the adapted changing room.

SafeZone

  • SafeZone is a free app based system for students and staff that enhances their personal safety. SafeZone extends the reach of campus safety and security, to cater for the real time needs of the people who use campus every day. It provides a quick and easy way for users to alert SafeGuarding Services, when help or assistance is needed.
  • For information about the SafeZone please click here.