WINCHESTER's Sport and Leisure Park is entering a new phase of construction.

Contractors Willmott Dixon have weather-proofed the building and key features are being installed.

Access to the site has been completed from Bar End Road and road access and parking will be complemented by improved cycle routes and footpaths.

Aspects of the centre for those with disabilities include door openings designed for sports wheelchairs, an independent access point to the hydrotherapy and physiotherapy suite and all parts of the building benefitting from natural daylight as well as artificial lighting and acoustic modelling to support those with visual and hearing impairments.

Contrasting shades and colours of surfaces between the floors and walls will also provide additional definition and ease of use for those with visual impairment.

The fitness and conditioning suite is being built at a single level to provide step-free access and the open sports hall will be installed with acoustic screening and a treatment applied to all surfaces.

These measures are designed to provide a better experience for spatially affected users and those with hearing impairment.

The 50m pool – designed to cater for national competitions, mixed groups and varying training levels – boasts several features, including enhanced acoustic treatment to enable coaching and easy communication without excessive background noise.

A ‘warm-up and cool-down training pool’ will be fully submersible with a self-control lift into the water and a mobile floor benefitting from steps instead of ladders.

The poolside platform lift will allow the use of fully reclined flatbed trollies and wheelchairs to accommodate paraplegic, tetraplegic and bariatric users and competitors will benefit from Swiss Timing technology, which generates both visual and audible signals.

The changing facilities all include two metre-wide routes which have been carefully planned to facilitate ease of movement for guests with disabilities and those accompanying them and across the building.

There will also be accessible toilets, showers, adjustable basins and step-free access to all areas.