Mackay ARC Visual Story

Cérge logo — inclusive access and companion technology

Arrival at Mackay ARC

The Mackay ARC is a large open air facility including both the aquatic and athletics facilities. Arrival is past the Athletics track with the car park attached directly to the aquatic facility.

The blue pools set against bright green grass creates a picturesque colour contrast. The main building at Mackay ARC is a low set building that supports customer service, café, retail and change room facilities. Multiple shade structures are built overtop two of the three pools.

Hearing

Sounds

  1. Vehicle sounds
  2. Crunching gravel
  3. Birds chirping
  4. External weather conditions
Smell

Smells

  1. Grass
  2. Fresh air
  3. External weather conditions
  4. Vehicle exhaust (occasional)
  5. Gravel
Touch

Feel

  1. Anticipation
  2. Walking
  3. External weather conditions
  4. Change in floor surfaces
Sight

Sight

  1. Colour contrast
  2. External weather conditions
  3. Moving vehicles
  4. Walking pedestrians
  5. Open space

Entrance at Mackay ARC

Entry into Mackay ARC is via the ticketed customer service desk and a breezeway design. A number of entrance gates control the movement of arriving and departing visitors.

The Swell Café adjoins the customer service desk on the left hand side and a small retail offering of swimming items is located to the right. The learn to swim pool is directly past the Swell Café.

Hearing

Sounds

  1. Splashing water
  2. Music
  3. Electronic beeps & buzzing
  4. Excited people
  5. Directional instructions
Smell

Smells

  1. Chlorine (faint)
  2. Café aroma (e.g. coffee)
  3. Sunscreen
  4. Sanitising products
Touch

Feel

  1. Shared personal space
  2. Physical barrier
  3. Ground surface change
  4. Anticipation
Sight

Sight

  1. People queueing
  2. Natural Lighting
  3. Staff in blue & orange uniforms
  4. Gated barrier to entry

Moving throughout Mackay ARC

The shaded learn to swim pool with accessible ramped entry and open air grassed area are immediately apparent as you move within the Mackay ARC. Moving to the right and away from the reception area is a second 25m six lane lap pool underneath a dedicated shade structure with accessible ramp entry.

Life guards wearing red and yellow uniform may be seen supervising the pool areas. A FINA approved 50m open aired 10 lane pool is located within the facility and includes a pelican pool hoist.

Hearing

Sounds

  1. Splashing water
  2. External weather conditions
  3. Excited people
  4. Directional instructions
  5. Birds chirping
Smell

Smells

  1. Chlorine (medium)
  2. Sunscreen
  3. External weather conditions
  4. Grass
Touch

Feel

  1. Wet & being splashed
  2. Increased heart rate
  3. Increased body temperature
  4. Shared personal space
  5. External weather conditions
Sight

Sight

  1. Contrasting colours
  2. Splashing water
  3. Excited people
  4. External weather conditions

Accessible equipment at Mackay ARC

Mackay ARC includes a Changing Places Facility boasting a height-adjustable, adult-sized changing bench, a tracking hoist system, and space for two people on either side of a peninsula toilet. 

With three aquatics chairs onsite, the entire facility has step-free access and ramped entry to both learn to swim and a 25m lap pool. A Pelican Pool hoist is available for both the 50m and learn to swim pool.

Hearing

Sounds

  1. Echo
  2. Flushing toilet
  3. Running water
  4. Whirring electrical noises
Smell

Smells

  1. Bathroom odours (maybe noticeable)
  2. Chlorine (mild)
  3. Cleaning products
  4. Deodorants & perfumes
Touch

Feel

  1. Changing clothing
  2. Bowel & bladder movements
  3. Damp/wet
  4. Shared personal space
Sight

Sight

  1. Mid level lighting
  2. People changing
  3. Reflections
  4. Pelican hoist
  5. Swimming pools

Athletics at Mackay ARC

The Mackay ARC includes an Athletics Track, Clubhouse, and Canteen. The main car park is connected to the Athletics track and clubhouse via a long step-free concrete pathway. 

Entrance to the clubhouse is via a ramped pathway is situated to the left side of the building. The facility boasts an eight-lane 400m track, two jumping pits, a discus circle, discus/hammer circle, three shot put circles, dual pole vault runway, two javelin runways, and a multi-use playing field.

Hearing

Sounds

  1. Competition starters gun
  2. Cheering/shouting
  3. Sudden sounds
  4. Excited people
  5. External weather conditions
Smell

Smells

  1. Grass
  2. Sunscreen
  3. External weather conditions
  4. Body odours (close proximity)
  5. Deodorants
Touch

Feel

  1. Excitement
  2. Elevated heart rate
  3. Elevated body temperature
  4. Close proximity to others
  5. External weather conditions
Sight

Sight

  1. Contrasting colours (esp. red & green)
  2. Open spaces
  3. People running/exercising
  4. External weather conditions
  5. Athletics track
Two hands shaking Thankyou graphic

Thank You

For all suggestions to improve our Visual Stories contact info@cerge.app and join the Facebook community to get involved /cergecommunity.