Centre reopens after upgrade By David Marsh A LEEDS leisure centre has reopened after a two-week refurbishment programme which included major improvements to access for disabled people.
The GBP220,000 work at Scott Hall Leisure Centre was carried out by Leeds City Council to comply with new Disability Discrimination Act guidelines.
It followed improvements begun earlier this year when a new toilet for disabled people was put in place and work was carried out on the rear car park.
Now the entrance to the centre has new automatic doors to allow wheelchair access, and a new automatic sliding door at the rear of the locker area so wheelchair users can enter the changing rooms directly from the car park.
A new changing room for disabled users has its own toilet, shower, sink and benches. There are also two new family cubicles, and lockers have been re-sited for improved access.
A new lift provides access to the upper floor, while the reception desk has been completely removed and replaced with a new unit which is more effective to meet the needs of disabled users and gives a greater use of the space available.
Changes have also been made outside the centre, with the entrance road from Potternewton Lane through to the exit on Scott Hall Road being resurfaced. New parking bays include four new spaces for disabled people.
The one-way system in the car park has also been improved with new flow plates, additional yellow lines and extra signage.
Warned Passageway doors and doors to the changing rooms have been refurbished and painted to meet requirements of the visually impaired.
The reception and foyer have been repainted and the lighting there improved. Tiles in the swimming pool and in the changing rooms have been repaired, while electrical work has also been carried out.
All users of the centre, including schools, groups and parents of children who have lessons there, were warned weeks in advance of the two-week closure.
Coun John Procter, executive member for leisure, said: “This important work has improved the centre, not only for disabled users but for everyone.
“We apologise to anyone who may have been inconvenienced, but we decided the two weeks including half-term was the best time to do it in order to keep disruption to a minimum.”
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