Articles Tagged with: construction

Designing for Everyone – Accessibility in Sport & Leisure

Designing for Everyone

Accessibility in Sport & Leisure — From Construction to Operation

Dave Spencer
Business Development Manager

Inclusive Design Principles and Construction Partnership

At Alliance Leisure, we work with local authorities every day to help translate ambitious wellbeing strategies into leisure centres that genuinely welcome everyone. For our clients, accessibility and inclusivity aren’t “add-ons” to be checked at the end of a project, they’re fundamental to delivering public value: increasing participation, reducing health inequalities and ensuring facilities work for the full diversity of local communities.

Inclusive design is strongest when it is embedded at concept stage, shaped by a clear understanding of both legal duties and real-life user experience. While the Equality Act 2010, Approved Document M and Sport England’s Accessible and inclusive sports facilities (AISF) set essential requirements, successful leisure design aims beyond minimum compliance to create environments that are intuitive, dignified and easy to use.

That means starting early: bringing in access expertise during RIBA Stages 1–2, engaging disability sport groups and community stakeholders, mapping the complete user journey from arrival to departure and planning for peak movement such as swim lesson changeovers or event crowds. Just as importantly, those intentions must be protected through the brief and carried through delivery, so that inclusive features remain integral, not eroded through late changes or value engineering.

When accessibility is embedded into the culture of a project team, it survives the pressures of programme and cost. Retrofitting is expensive and often compromises user dignity. Designing inclusively from the start is both commercially and socially responsible.

Designing for Participation, Not Just Access

Compliance with Approved Document M is essential, but true inclusion goes further. It asks how different users will experience the space: wheelchair users navigating busy corridors, parents supporting disabled children, visually impaired spectators finding seating, or neurodiverse members managing sensory overload.

According to the You and Yours Survey from AccessAble, 95% of visitors will check accessibility in advance of going somewhere new, and 96% say having accessibility information available in advance would make them more likely to visit somewhere.

Arrival & External Environment

The user experience begins before the front door. Car parking, drop-off zones and pedestrian routes must be step-free, well-lit and intuitive. Wayfinding should be clear from the outset, particularly for first-time visitors or users with cognitive or visual impairments. The arrival experience sets expectations if the journey in is difficult, participation may end before it begins.

Consider:

Step-free routes from site boundary and car parks
Clearly marked accessible parking (appropriately located and sized)
Safe, covered drop-off zones
Tactile paving and tonal contrast
Adequate lighting levels
Rest points with arm-supported seating

Reception & Circulation

Leisure buildings are high-traffic environments with complex circulation patterns. Wayfinding should be consistent and logical, using clear typography, pictograms and colour zoning. Signage should support users with visual impairments and cognitive differences.

Circulation must reflect real operational pressures and surges of movement: swim lesson changeovers, event crowds, peak gym periods. Lift capacity, corridor widths and door automation must be designed for these realities not minimum standards on paper.

Design should include:

Automatic entrance doors
Level thresholds
Lowered or dual-height reception desks
Hearing loop systems
Wide corridors for two-way wheelchair movement
Lift capacity designed for peak periods

Fitness, Studios & Activity Spaces

Inclusive access must extend beyond circulation into activity zones. Leisure environments are often noisy and visually stimulating. Including a quiet room or decompression space can significantly improve accessibility for neurodiverse users. These elements support users with autism, ADHD, anxiety conditions and sensory processing differences, accessibility is not only physical.

Gym design considerations:

Clear space between equipment
Accessible cardio and resistance machines
Adaptable functional training areas
Flooring transitions without trip hazards

Studios and halls should provide:

Flexible layouts
Clear access routes
Adjustable lighting where possible
Acoustic treatment to reduce echo

Changing & Wet Facilities

Changing areas are often the defining test of accessibility in leisure environments. Dignity and independence are critical. For many users, poor changing provision is the primary barrier to participation.

A new build should consider:

Changing Places toilet provision
Accessible WC and shower rooms
Ceiling-track hoists
Height-adjustable benches
Accessible lockers at varied heights
Private assisted changing cubicles
Family and gender-neutral options

In wet areas:

Slip-resistant flooring
Tonal contrast between floors and walls
Handrails positioned for support
Pool pod access or ramped entry
Clear, unobstructed poolside circulation

Spectator & Social Spaces

Cafés and social areas should provide varied seating options, circulation space and clear ordering points. If the facility includes competition or event use:

Integrated wheelchair spectator seating (not isolated platforms)
Companion seating
Accessible viewing angles
Accessible refreshment counters
Clear evacuation strategies

Technology & Digital Accessibility

Accessibility now extends beyond physical design into digital experience. Modern leisure facilities rely heavily on digital systems. Ensure:

Booking systems and websites align with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
Self-service kiosks are usable from seated positions
Clear audio and visual announcement systems
Induction loops in reception and studios

Construction Phase Protections

Small dimensional changes during construction can have large consequences for usability. During the build:

Maintain accessible temporary routes (if phased build)
Avoid late-stage value engineering that removes accessibility features
Conduct access audits before practical completion
Test facilities with real users prior to opening

Transition to Operation

Accessibility does not end at handover. A building can be compliant but still feel unwelcoming if operational culture does not support inclusion. Operators should plan for:

Staff training in disability awareness and equipment use
Clear protocols for hoists and pool pods
Inclusive programming (e.g. disability-specific sessions, quiet swim times)
Ongoing maintenance of accessibility equipment
Regular access reviews and user feedback

Final Consideration

A new leisure facility is a long-term community asset. Embedding accessibility at design stage protects that investment and broadens participation from day one.

True accessibility in sport and leisure is not about minimum standards — it is about creating environments where everyone can arrive confidently, participate independently and return willingly.

Sport has the power to connect, improve wellbeing and build community. Leisure environments are often civic anchors places where diverse populations come together.

Accessibility should therefore be viewed not as an add-on, but as a core design principle running from concept to construction to daily operation.

When inclusion is designed in early, protected through delivery and championed by operational teams, sport and leisure facilities become what they are intended to be: places where everyone can participate, belong and thrive.

Case Example | Embassy Theatre

In the early scoping stages of this project Alliance Leisure commissioned an independent, NRAC-accredited access audit by About Access Ltd to provide a full review of the existing building and proposed works.

The audit benchmarked the theatre against current best practice (Equality Act 2010, Approved Document M and BS8300) and identified priority actions relating to:

Step-free access and ramp gradients to the main entrance
Reconfiguration and compliance of accessible WCs (including transfer space, emergency pull cords, tonal contrast and sanitary layouts)
Provision of ambulant disabled cubicles
Regulation of hot water temperatures to prevent scalding
Improved signage, lift visibility and hearing enhancement awareness
Inclusion of a low-level section to the bar counter
Emergency egress strategy and management procedures

The completed audit and subsequent design responses met the Arts Council’s requirements and strengthened the overall accessibility strategy at Embassy Theatre. This process demonstrates our willingness to challenge our own design outputs, bring in specialist expertise where required, and align fully with funder expectations and inclusive design best practice.

Case Example | Cath Thom Leisure Centre

In November 2025, members of the Accessibility Advocate Group were invited to tour the new Cath Thom Leisure Centre. The purpose of the visit was to provide detailed feedback on accessibility, focusing on the welcome experience, external environment and internal facilities.

The full report included the following highlights:

From the outset, the centre demonstrated a strong commitment to accessibility and ease of access.
Visitors reported a positive journey experience, with digital navigation tools successfully recognising and directing users to the facility.
On arrival, the building was well-lit, clearly signposted and visually welcoming.
The car park was highlighted as a key strength with amply accessible parking, safe one-way traffic, drop off zone and a spacious layout.
The internal layout of the building reflects a strong commitment to inclusive design, including clear signage with icons and braille, accessible changing and shower facilities, flexible and accessible café seating and a community room with direct external access
to prevent disruption.
The swimming pool was particularly well received, with a double hoist system enabling carers to support users in the water, and graduated steps with handrails for independent access

Overall, the group had a highly positive experience and praised the centre’s inclusive approach. The report concluded that the Cath Thom Leisure Centre demonstrates a strong commitment to accessibility, with clear evidence of inclusive design and collaboration with disabled users throughout its development.

“It’s evident you have worked in
partnership with disabled people in your planning.”

“The venue looks impressive from the outside, and the welcome inside matches that first impression.”

“We had a lovely couple of hours and on the whole we love the new building and everything you have to offer.”

“I felt less disabled – I could enter the pool the same way as others.”

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Construction Begins on £12m Droitwich Refurbishment Project

Work officially started this autumn on the £12.7 million redevelopment of Droitwich Spa Leisure Centre that we are delivering for Wychavon District Council.

Following the completion of initial enabling works, the main project is now underway. Designed by Watson Batty Architects and implemented by main contractor Speller Metcalfe, the redevelopment promises a major transformation of the much-loved community facility.

The upgraded centre will feature a brand-new 8x12m learner pool, housed within a modern extension that also includes a welcoming new reception and café area. The addition will allow a full programme of swimming lessons to run without impacting the main pool’s timetable, helping residents of all ages to develop swimming as a vital life skill.

Commenting on the plans, Gillian Dunster, Business Development Manager at Alliance Leisure, said:

This refurbishment is about more than bricks and mortar; it’s about growing confidence in the water, removing barriers to activity and futureproofing a vital community asset. We’re proud to support Wychavon’s net-zero ambitions while enhancing the experience for every visitor.

Alongside the new pool, the project will deliver extensive modernisation across the centre. Upgrades include the renovation of changing areas, the addition of three flexible-use treatment rooms, and improved mechanical and electrical systems. A key focus is sustainability, with air source heat pumps and solar panels helping to boost energy efficiency and support the council’s target of achieving net zero by 2030.

Cllr Dan Birch, Wychavon’s Executive Board Member for Wellbeing, Social Mobility and Transformation, said:

I’m delighted to see how quickly work is progressing on delivering this vital upgrade to Droitwich Spa Leisure centre. You can already see the foundations of the learner pool begin to take shape and I’m excited to watch the scheme develop over the coming months. This is part of our multi-million-pound investment in leisure and wellbeing in the town. We are committed to progressing these schemes at pace to ensure the full leisure offering in Droitwich is delivered in a timely manner for the benefit of our residents.

The first phase of the refurbishment, covering the ‘dry’ side of the centre including the gym and changing rooms, is now progressing well. Excavation for the new learner pool is already underway, with early phases expected to be completed before Christmas. Work will continue through 2026, with the fully refurbished centre due to reopen later in the year.

Reflecting on the milestone, Mark Hudgeon, Regional Director at Speller Metcalfe, said:

We are delighted to be bringing the Droitwich Spa Leisure Centre redevelopment to life. Working closely with Alliance Leisure and the Council, we are committed to delivering a facility that the local community can enjoy for years to come, combining modern design with sustainable solutions.

As a separate contract, the Droitwich project will also see upgrades and expansion to the car park and a new skatepark and pump track installed, further supporting Wychavon’s multi-million-pound investment in leisure, health, and wellbeing in Droitwich Spa.

This project was procured using the UK Leisure Framework, which is owned and managed by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd (DLL).

Work Begins on Sun Lane Leisure Centre Decarbonisation Project

Wakefield Council is investing millions in carbon cutting technology at Sun Lane Leisure Centre, supporting its commitment to reduce carbon emissions across its estate and work towards net-zero targets.

We are delivering this multi-million pound project, procured using the UK Leisure Framework, which is owned and managed by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd (DLL), on behalf of Wakefield Council. Work is scheduled to begin this autumn and is expected to be completed by March 2026.

The project will see the centre’s fossil fuel-based heating systems, including gas boilers and the combined heat and power (CHP) unit, replaced by three rooftop air source heat pumps (ASHPs). These will be installed alongside a suite of energy-efficiency upgrades including the installation of solar panels, upgrades to the building management system (BMS), replacement LED lighting throughout, new heat emitters, the integration of an 8,000-litre thermal store to optimise heating performance plus general upgrades to the electrical infrastructure.

Tom Gardner, Business Development Manager, said:

“Through the UK Leisure Framework, we have delivered many decarbonisation projects for various councils. Bringing together such a stellar group of experts we ensure fast, compliant procurement and a highly efficient delivery from planning through to project completion. This project is no different. Works will ensure a vast improvement in the energy efficiency of the leisure centre, taking the council one step further along its ambitious decarbonisation journey.”

The project has been made possible by funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), plus the council’s own reserves. A total pot of almost £5 million is being invested which also includes the support of works at Upton Primary School in Pontefract, being delivered separately.

To deliver the project, the experienced partners include: Hensall as Principal Contractor, CGP MEP as MEP designer, Bradshaw Gass and Hope as Principal Designer and Axiom as project manager and quantity surveyor.

Cllr George Ayre, Wakefield Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, adds:

“This latest investment is part of our wider decarbonisation journey at Wakefield Council. In 2019 the council declared a climate emergency and issued a pledge to become a carbon neutral authority by 2030. Sun Lane Leisure Centre is one of our most energy-intensive buildings. These works will not only help reduce emissions but will also improve operational efficiency and resilience for the future.”

Join us at UKREiiF 2025

Alliance Leisure team head to Leeds for UKREiiF

We’ll be once again attending UKREiiF at the Royal Armouries in Leeds on the 20th – 22nd May.

Find out more about UKREiiF and the programme HERE.

James Foley, our Commercial Director, and Will Gardner, Business Development Manager, will be at the event so if you want to get in touch you can contact them below.

James and Will can provide updates on what we do (build leisure facilities for local authorities), how we do it (as a development partner removing all workload and headaches from the client) and who we’ve done it for (100+ clients, 285 projects, £450m of investment).

A few photos from last year’s event…

ISG’s latest research and insight report ‘Sustainable Buildings Monitor: Redefining value’

Download the report here

We recently joined partners from across various sectors to discuss the outcomes and discussion points from ISG‘s latest research on sustainability – see the full webinar HERE. James Foley, Commercial Director at Alliance Leisure, sat on a panel alongside representatives from the NHS, Welsh Government, defence infrastructure and the private sector, to discuss planning strategies, construction challenges and collaboration opportunities.

What's clear from the report and bringing so many different sectors together is that we all share the same challenges as well as opportunities. Undeniably, sustainability plays a huge role in any modern construction project, and we see this as part of delivering against a wider definition of value, impacting the ESG agenda: Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance.

James Foley

Commercial Director, Alliance Leisure

Download ISG'S REPORT HERE

3G Pitches Open in Holyhead

New 3G Pitches Opened

A new 3G pitch was recently completed by Alliance Leisure in Garreglwyd Park in Holyhead, Anglesey.

The works, on behalf of Isle of Anglesey County Council, consisted of converted 3 old tennis courts into a new 3G pitch which has a rugby compliant surface.

The project investment was £161k and was completed inside the proposed budget and 3 weeks ahead of schedule too! Partners Durasport and Surfacing Standards worked with Alliance Leisure to deliver this fantastic community asset.

Works complete at Crystal Leisure Centre in Stourbridge

Following a revamp managed by Alliance Leisure, we are delighted to report that the 25 metre swimming pool at the Crystal Leisure Centre has re-opened to swimmers. The leisure pool will re-open later this month, bringing with it the return of free swimming sessions for children.

The redevelopment of the wet side facilities at this centre is the first project to complete as part of the £31 million investment by Dudley Council that also includes the construction of a brand new leisure centre in Dudley and a transformational redevelopment of the centre in Halesowen.

The upgrade works at Crystal Leisure Centre have included a complete tile repair, re-grout and clean of both the 25-metre pool and the leisure pool, as well as the addition of several interactive water features and a DJ booth to compliment the leisure pool, where the slides have also been relined and painted.

The changing facilities have been completely remodelled to create a spacious changing village perfect for families.

Councillor Simon Phipps, Dudley Council’s cabinet member responsible for leisure centres, says: “It’s fantastic to see the 25 metre pool back open at Crystal. I had the chance to have a look around and I must say the contractors have done a first class job.”

The works at Crystal Leisure Centre are part of a wider £31million leisure regeneration programme procured through the UK Leisure Framework, managed by Denbighshire Leisure, which has seen Alliance Leisure work with construction partner, Speller Metcalfe, to deliver the project.

Julia Goddard, Senior Development Manager, Alliance Leisure, says: “It’s fantastic to see the difference this investment has made at the Crystal Leisure Centre. By committing investment in leisure, Dudley Council is creating active environments for residents to enjoy for many years to come and we are delighted to have been involved in such a transformational project.”

Residents in Halesowen are also to benefit from the Council’s investment, with an £8.8 million remodelling project well underway at the Halesowen Leisure Centre. Here, the fitness suite has been expanded and a wellness suite added to extend the appeal to a wider segment of the community, plus the adventure play area, café and main entrance will all enjoy a revamp. In the pool area a new changing village will enhance the experience for learners through to advanced swimmers.

In Dudley, construction of the new, £18.1 million Duncan Edwards Leisure Centre is also underway, with the centre due to handover in November and open in January 2022.

Benefiting from excellent public transport links via the forthcoming adjacent Metro stop and the nearby bus Interchange, the new leisure centre will include a 25-metre, eight-lane swimming pool and a teaching pool with spectator provision.

There will be a four-court sports hall suitable for indoor football, badminton and more, plus a sauna, 100-station gym and fitness suite, two group exercise studios and an immersive cycle studio – a first for the Black Country – and power-assisted wellness centre which may help those recovering from injury, older customers and people living with long-term health conditions.

There will also be a soft play area with catering facilities and a party room, and a café.

ukactive Awards 2021

The much anticipated ukactive Awards 2021 took place virtually on the 12th of August, and the team at Alliance Leisure watched them with great anticipation and enjoyment. As ever, they offered a great opportunity to celebrate the very best examples of work and ingenuity in the industry, especially following the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

We were immensely proud that over half of the finalists shortlisted for the award for ‘New Concept, Build or Design of the Year’ at the ukactive Awards were Alliance Leisure developments. Whilst we were disappointed not to win the award, we would like to congratulate to the winners, and are honoured that our projects reached the final stage at such a prestigious event. We would also like to thank our partners and suppliers who helped to make these projects possible.

Sarah Watts, CEO of Alliance Leisure, says:

I was delighted and proud to see these four facilities shortlisted as finalists at the ukactive awards. We extend huge congratulations to the winner, and are delighted that the projects that Alliance Leisure were a part of have been recognised for serving as innovative, enjoyable, and accessible ways for people to be more active, more often.

Sarah Watts

CEO, Alliance Leisure

The projects for which we were nominated are:

SC2

Built on behalf of Denbighshire Leisure, this incredible facility offers a large indoor waterpark, an outdoor splash pad, five food and beverage outlets, as well as the first TAGActive in North Wales, which also happens to be the largest in the UK.
Monmouth Leisure Centre

A true feat of engineering which saw a swimming pool being put into a former sports hall, this project on behalf of Monmouthshire County Council is a true testament to innovation.
Long Stratton Leisure Centre

Long Stratton’s transformation is one of the most profound of ours in recent years, and the thorough refurbishment included a new gym, soft play facility, café, and much more.
Haverhill Leisure Centre

The ingenious re-think of Haverhill Leisure Centre placed, now thriving, soft play and Clip ‘n’ Climb facilities in the previously underused sports hall, as well as a host of other refurbishments to achieve the centre’s full potential.

4 Alliance Leisure Developments Nominated for ukactive Awards

Alliance Leisure are delighted to reveal that four of their developments have been shortlisted for the finals of the ukactive Awards 2021 in the category of ‘New Concept, Build or Design of the Year’.

These impressive projects are:

SC2

Built on behalf of Denbighshire Leisure, this incredible facility offers a large indoor waterpark, an outdoor splash pad, five food and beverage outlets, as well as the first TAGActive in North Wales, which also happens to be the largest in the UK.
Monmouth Leisure Centre

A true feat of engineering which saw a swimming pool being put into a former sports hall, this project on behalf of Monmouthshire County Council is a true testament to innovation.
Long Stratton Leisure Centre

Long Stratton’s transformation is one of the most profound of ours in recent years, and the thorough refurbishment included a new gym, soft play facility, café, and much more.
Haverhill Leisure Centre

The ingenious re-think of Haverhill Leisure Centre placed, now thriving, soft play and Clip ‘n’ Climb facilities in the previously underused sports hall, as well as a host of other refurbishments to achieve the centre’s full potential.

Sarah Watts, CEO of Alliance Leisure, says:

“We are thrilled to have been shortlisted for these prestigious awards. The fact that four of our projects have reached this stage exemplifies just how much fantastic work the team has achieved, which we are continuing into the future with more transformational developments.”

New Dudley Leisure Centre Site Receives Top Marks

ISG, the appointed construction team working on building a new leisure centre in Dudley, recently re-named the Duncan Edwards Leisure Centre, have received outstanding marks as part of the Considerate Constructors Scheme for their practices.

The report commented that the site on Flood Street was the best they had seen in the last year, and ISG are now using the site as a showcase of good practice, with other construction firms visiting Dudley to learn from ISG’s work.

Dudley Council has committed £17.4 million to the project in the heart of the town centre. Working in partnership with Alliance Leisure, through the UK Leisure Framework, the council will create a vibrant modern hub for residents and workers to enjoy a range of physical activities.

The new venue will be located in Flood Street, approximately one mile from the current centre and will occupy part of a council owned car park. It will include: a 25 metre, 8-lane swimming pool; a teaching pool with spectator provision; sauna; a 4-court sports hall; a 100 station fitness suite; two group exercise studios; an immersive cycle studio; a soft play area with catering facilities and a party room; a café; a sauna and a power assisted exercise studio.

Julia Goddard, Senior Business Development Manager at Alliance Leisure, says: “Because this is a brand new facility, we can design an environment that perfectly reflects the needs of the community. Incorporating the soft play area and power assisted exercise studio will extend appeal to a much wider audience, creating an inclusive provision that can be enjoyed by all. The town centre location also means the facility boasts great accessibility and is within easy reach of a new Metro stop on Flood Street and the bus interchange.”

Construction works are due to complete in October 2021. The current leisure centre on Wellington road will remain open until the new centre is ready to open its doors in Spring 2022.

The Alliance Leisure development team also includes Robert Limbrick Architects alongside ISG. All works will be delivered via the UK Leisure Framework, managed by Denbighshire Leisure. Full details of the Dudley regeneration programme can be found here.