Wheeelchair ice-skating
4
4
Date of visit: December 2016
I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Good
I never though I'd be able to take my wheelchair using son ice-skating but I did and we had a brilliant time! Very helpful staff and very accessible site. I can't wait to go back.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
There is a ramp up from the car park to the ice rink entrance. Wide entrance doors and gates. There is a lift - it wasn't working the day we went. Fortunately my son has some mobility so we managed, but it would definitely be worth ringing in advance if the lift is a must for your needs, as there are about 25 steps down to the ice level - the accessible toilet is also down at this lower level. The cafe is on the upper level, but was very warm with a good viewing window and had plenty of space for manoeuvering the wheelchair. There is a ramp for access on to the ice, but again ring in advance as it took the (very helpful) staff some minutes to locate it and bring it to us.
Parking & Transport
Good
There is a car park at the site. The blue badge parking was at the other side of the car park from the ice rink and we had to leave the car park via the car exit to get to the ramp up into the venue, but as it was a fairly quiet day this wasn't an issue, and there may be a better way of accessing the ramp, we just didn't find it. However, the current car park is temporary as a new car park is being built across the road (as of Jan 2017), so this will hopefully not be an issue for much longer.
Accessible Toilets
0There is an accessible toilet on the ice level (see above about the lift), but we didn't go in it.
Staff
Excellent
The staff were very helpful. There is always a steward on the ice and they came to help us get on, then checked back in with us after a few minutes to make sure we were OK.
Additional Information
I would definitely recommend this to anyone, we had such a great time and it was something I hadn't thought would be possible. We will be doing this again in the not-too-distant future, but next time I will ring ahead to make sure the lift is working and the ramp is handy.
