Access For All

Tees Active operates alongside Partner For Change to provide a completely accessible and compliant service for all of our customers. We have highlighted a number of features to help plan your visit and make you aware of the venue and what you can expect before your visit.

Find out more about Partner For Change here.

Lighting

The main public areas of the centre are lit by natural light with some strip lights and spot lights to help with illumination.

Noise

Within the main centre building it is generally quiet, apart from the coffee machine in the café and when the café itself is generally busy. There can be quite a bit of noise around the centre when we have groups on the water. All toilets and changing facilities have hand dryers.

Colours

The main centre is split over three floors, all floors are accessed by a set of central stairs and malls that are open to the elements, there is a large roof which looks a little bit like a marquis.  The centre has a lot of glass throughout the café, reception and shop which is based on the 2^nd floor of the building, both areas of the centre have light colour lino flooring. The main malls and stair in the building are dark wooden floors. To access this floor direct from the car park all visitors will have to walk along a bridge.

Flooring

Several areas of the centre have light colour lino flooring. The main malls and stair in the building are dark wooden floors. To access this floor direct from the car park all visitors will have to walk along a bridge.

Lockers

There are two types of lockers within the centre. The blue lockers require a 50p based on the malls. The yellow lockers which are based in the changing rooms require a 20p.

Expected clothing

For all water based activities, participants will need to provide: swimming shorts/costume to wear under a wetsuit, shoes to get wet,  towel and toiletries.

Expected equipment

All safety equipment is provided by the centre.

Booking System

For all water based activity bookings, these can be made in person at the centre or over the phone. All sessions have to be pre booked.

Good times to come

The centre usage can vary from day to day and will depend on what events and courses are booked. Any events are communicated via the website and social media at least 14 days in advance.

Changing areas

Only the main centre has changing rooms, we have both male and female changing rooms, which are based on the middle floor. There is an accessible changing room which is based on the ground floor which have toilet and showering facilities.

Smells

The White Water Centre and Air Trail are based on the River Tees and generally not affected by any particular smells.

Signage

Signage to all areas is words (large print) and pictorial.

Disabled Access

Tees Active and Tees Barrage recognise its responsibilities in providing services at our facilities which are available and accessible to all and welcomes all disabled people irrespective of physical, intellectual or sensory ability to participate in their chosen activity. In order to achieve this, Tees Active is constantly reviewing how to improve all forms of access to its facilities and services, and is striving to demonstrate best practice in the management of our facilities, in the services we provide and towards the people we employ.

All Tees Active operated venues are DDA compliant and as a service provider, Tees Active not only want to comply with relevant legislation, but also to go further in providing a top quality experience for all visitors. We will endeavour to ensure that disabled people are not treated any less favourably, and that ‘reasonable adjustments’ are made where appropriate and possible through sensitive and creative solutions.

Whilst Tees Active employees are unable to provide individual lifting assistance we are able to provide a range of other services.

If you would like to ask us any questions regarding accessing our facilities and services please fill in the contact form below.