The design of the outdoor swimming facilities would be to serve a large, very diverse local population - as does Eastville park.

Swimming pools are often contentious spaces where the needs of people from equalities groups may be poorly considered. Accessibility has therefore been a key consideration in the design process. 

• ‘Village Green’ style changing facilities avoid pushing users into normative or reductive gender categories but allow for individuals to simply change in a private space regardless. This also allows for full use of the changing facilities when open for specific events eg women only, or non-binary swim events.

• Following recommendations from ‘This Girl Can’ and Sports England, the space is designed to feel safe and accessible to women, including robe hooks near the pool and stepped pool entrances.

• The cafe is designed to easily allow viewing of the pool to be closed off, this facilitates the needs of muslim women for whom swimming in a public setting is often inappropriate.

• Covid safe: The building can be fully opened up and ventilated with plenty of indoor and outdoor space. A one ways system can be created easily to reduce interactions when circulating.

• Pool accessibility for users with disabilities has been considered throughout including extra large changing facilities for users with a carer; flat access and turning areas for wheelchair users, a ramp / lift / hoist for the pool itself.

Creating an inclusive design for all.