South West Sports Centre Visual Story

The South West Sports Centre is a brick and metal building with large glass windows. The surrounding area includes bitumen roadways and open-air car parks, with three accessible car parking spaces and a designated drop-off zone adjacent to the entrance, marked in yellow. Concrete and paver pathways provide step-free access to the building, with a ramp leading to the main entry. Metal handrails are installed alongside stairs and ramps. Established trees provide limited shade near the building and along the walkways, and bicycle racks and rubbish bins are positioned near the entrances.

This area is used for arrival, parking, and access to the sports centre, with activity levels increasing during peak periods and sporting events. Sounds may include vehicle movement, gravel underfoot, and bird calls. The environment may include smells of cut grass, mulch, trees, and occasional exhaust fumes. Visitors may also notice scents such as deodorant, and people are often moving through the area in sports clothing such as swimwear or gym wear.

Access to the indoor aquatic centre is located beside reception and is via a turnstile where visitors scan their pass, followed by automatic doors. The main pool is a 50-metre, 10-lane pool heated between 27–28 degrees, with depths ranging from 1.2 to 2 metres. Tiered grandstand seating constructed from steel and glass overlooks the pool. Adjacent is a 25-metre leisure pool heated between 31–32 degrees, with a lane area depth ranging from 0.7 to 0.9 metres. The freeform leisure pool slopes gradually from a beach-style entry to a depth of 1 metre at the water slide flume, with a separate toddler pool area ranging from 0 to 0.3 metres. The space features a warehouse-style insulated roof with exposed steel beams, floor-to-ceiling windows, and roller doors that provide ventilation.

A café is located within the aquatic centre, offering drinks and refreshments with seating nearby. Male and female bathrooms are positioned close to the café, along with two accessible unisex bathrooms that include a toilet with grab rails, a shower with a bench seat, and a baby change table. Lockers are available for storage, and a pool hoist is provided to support entry into the lap pool.

On the opposite side of the pool, near the spa, is access to the accessible changerooms. This area includes a corridor with lockers on the left and a series of unisex facilities on the right, accessed via automatic doors operated by a green push button. These include accessible toilets and changerooms, with some rooms featuring an adult change table, shower with bench seat, toilet with grab rails, baby change table, and a hoist (visitors are required to bring their own sling). Additional unisex changerooms are also provided. Bench seating is available along the corridor, and pathways throughout the aquatic centre are step-free, supporting movement between pools, seating, and amenities.

From the stairs leading down to the indoor stadium, a corridor directly ahead leads to the squash courts, passing ‘Fit for Life’ on the right. The squash courts are positioned sequentially along the right-hand side. This area includes six courts, accessed via a corridor with cream brick walls, a low ceiling, and bright fluorescent lighting. The floor is green vinyl, with black non-slip mats placed along the main walking path. The courts feature wooden flooring and white walls marked with red boundary lines. Some courts have solid wooden doors, while others have glass rear walls with glass doors. Orange bench seating is positioned along the corridor outside the courts, and the pathway is step-free and wide enough to support easy movement.

This space is used for squash and racquet-based activities, with equipment such as racquets and balls available for hire, or visitors may bring their own. Activity levels may vary depending on bookings and use. Male and female toilets and change rooms are located adjacent to the squash courts, supporting convenient access to amenities.

Jitterbugs Crèche is located across from reception and is accessed via an inward opening, manually operated wooden door. A yellow feature wall marks the entry, with a dedicated reception desk positioned inside. Outside the room, a waiting area includes black leather sofas arranged around a low table on a carpeted floor. Within the crèche, the main playroom is enclosed by black pool-style safety fencing and includes large glass windows along one side. 

The flooring is smooth and includes soft padded surfaces within the play zones. The space features a padded jungle gym with slides, climbing elements, and mats, along with a range of toys, dress-up items, and reading areas. Bright colours and wall murals are used throughout the room, and the ceiling includes fluorescent lighting with decorative netting.

Pathways between furniture and play equipment are step-free and wide enough to support easy movement. A nappy change room and children’s bathrooms are located within the crèche. Jitterbugs Crèche is available to customers of the South West Sports Centre, with a requirement that parents or carers remain within the facility while children are in care.

Access to the Fit for Life exercise room is via a manually operated, outward opening white door located adjacent to the indoor stadium. The room is a square space with cream-painted brick walls and a step-free threshold at the entrance, including a green floor mat. The floor is covered with grey carpet tiles marked with red agility ladder patterns. Cardiovascular and weight resistance equipment are arranged along the walls, including exercise balls, rowing machines, and weight racks. Wall-mounted fans are positioned high on the walls, and the ceiling has bright fluorescent lighting. Nearby areas include a hallway with vinyl flooring and stairs fitted with handrails.

This space is used for high-intensity exercise and training activities, with activity levels increasing during scheduled classes or peak gym times. Sounds may include fans, exercise machines, and background music. The environment may include smells associated with rubber equipment, deodorant, and carpeted surfaces. The carpet provides a softer feel underfoot, and the open layout supports movement between equipment and exercise zones.