OUR PROPOSAL - Design

Design drawings supplied by: Saville Jones Architects,74 Victoria Road, Worthing, West Sussex  BN11 1UN 
For those arriving by car, ample parking will be provided in a new, dedicated parking area. There will also be a dropping off point for those arriving by coach or minibus. Bike riders will also have space to park securely. A new entrance, at the front of the building, will lead directly to the main reception area. From this area, visitors will be able to access both the swimming pool and the fitness centre. The centre has been designed to be very light and open, with plenty of viewing areas for those accompanying swimmers. Those using the fitness centre will also have a view across the pool below.  In addition to customer services, such as paying entrance fees, membership and information services, the reception area may also include refreshment facilities such as drinks and snacks.

In sympathy with many comments (particularly from local residents) concerning existing parking problems in the local area, the number of parking spaces proposed (and approved by the authorities) is significantly greater than would normally be needed or agreed for this further development of the site.               

From our initial research, and from talking to potential users, we identified the things that will make our new facility a hit with local people.  It will need to be a full size, 25m x 4 lane swimming pool, with a purpose-built changing village. In our design, the main changing areas will be immediately behind the reception area, with toilets and showers behind. From the changing areas, swimmers will go directly to the pool area, which will benefit from windows down one wall and in the roof - giving a light, glare-free swimming environment of the very highest standard.

 

Our research told us that we also needed to include an improved, well-equipped, fitness centre. The new fitness centre will be above the pool, with its own reception area, and will offer an array of the latest and most effective exercise stations and fitness facilities. The layout and equipment will be designed to encourage people of all fitness levels to become regular users.             

We recognize the importance of providing good access for customers with disabilities. 

The number of designated parking spaces for people with disabilities will be increased within this proposal from two to five, all located close to the main entrance.  There will be level access into the building with automatic doors at the entrance. The main entrance is also located beneath a canopy. A portion of the reception desk will be designed to make for easy use by people in wheelchairs and a hearing induction loop will also be provided at the reception desk to assist those with hearing impairment.

Level access is also provided into the pool changing village. Fully equipped, accessible toilets and changing room are provided close to the entrance to the changing village. There will also be some lockers provided with knee space below for people in wheelchairs to use.

Within the pool hall there will be a hoist to help people with physical disabilities into the pool. At the entrance to the pool changing village there is a buggy park and the vanity area will incorporate a section at a lower level for people in wheelchairs. An existing lift provides access to the new first floor fitness gym.

The fitness gym is on two levels and a platform lift will be provided to enable people in wheelchairs to access the higher level. All doors will be of adequate width for wheelchairs. For people with impaired vision, there will be a contrast between walls and doors and between walls and floors, and there will be a contrasting edging to the pool tank itself. For people with hearing impairment, the fire alarm will include a visual indicator.