Our aim is to ensure that every visit to our ice rink is both enjoyable and comfortable. To assist with your planning, we’ve outlined some useful details below. If you have any questions, concerns, or specific requirements you’d like to discuss ahead of your visit, feel free to reach out to our team at Billingham Forum, they’re always happy to help.
Accessible car parking spaces are available adjacent to the leisure centre and in front of the main entrance. In addition there is also ample public parking along Kingsway Road. Customers can also be dropped off directly outside Billingham Forum if required.
There are individual shower/toilet change facilities in all areas of Billingham Forum (dry side, gym, ice rink, swimming pool and sauna – across the first and ground floors). We also have a Carers Change room that allows individuals to change in a comfortable space – this room includes a change hoist and bed.
Billingham Forum is wheelchair friendly and has lifts and ramps to all activity areas. A passenger lift is available to access the spectator gallery if attending ice hockey games, figure skating competitions or other events. To spectate rink side, to enter the ice rink or to visit Hockey Hound Skate Shop accessible ramps are in place.
Our experienced team are happy to support and guide customers with their visit to Billingham Forum Ice Arena.
Facilities are available in the accessible toilet located outside the ground floor entrance to the stalls.
Carers can access our facilities for free when assisting or receive discount on activity prices when participating.
Billingham Forum Ice Arena and Tees Active operates alongside Partner For Change to provide a completely accessible and compliant service for all of our customers. We have identified all of the sensory elements across our venue that will help you to plan your visit.
Depending on the nature of use and the areas visited, lighting in the centre is a mix of atmospheric, bright and natural light.
However, we have the following lighting that may need to be considered:
Ice Arena
Atrium
Throughout the centre we have circulation/background music for customer comfort.
Fire Alarm Testing
Public Address System
All toilets and changing areas have hair and hand dryers which create noise – these tend to be just after the point of entry to each area.
Periodically throughout the day staff operate several noise generating cleaning machines throughout the centre.
In all accessible change rooms and nominated remote rooms we have emergency pull cords which sound at the main reception when activated.
In the Ice Arena the ice hockey referees blow their whistles during games and practices – and there is an electronic siren used to start/stop the games.
The floors throughout the centre comprise of slate, tile, lino, carpet and rubber. Predominant colours are black, grey, cream and dark blue.
All lockers work with trolley tokens and £1.00 coins which are returnable. New pound coins are compatible with our lockers also.
All lockers have wrist strap wrist bands.
In the Ice Arena, warm clothing that allows natural movement of body. Gloves are recommend for warmth and spare socks in case your socks get wet when skating.
There is also no booking system for the Ice Arena. However, there is a timetable with a variety of sessions available every day of the week. The Ice Arena timetable can be viewed on the Ice Arena website.
If you contact the centre we can let you know the best times to come as a family, when it’s busy and when it’s quiet for your preferred activity.
Events are listed on our website and automated phone message in a timely manner – at least 7 days’ notice. Where a closure is less than 7 days we reinforce this via our Facebook & Twitter feeds and internal notices.
Upon request, information on the most suitable sessions/times based on their individual needs can be given to the customer.
Picture to follow.
The centre has individual, group and village style changing and toilet facilities.
There are individual shower/toilet change facilities in all areas (dry, gym, ice, pool and sauna – and on the first and ground floors). We also have a Carers Change room that allows individuals to change in a comfortable space – this room includes a change hoist and bed.
Pictures to follow
Changing rooms and toilets smell of cleaning products, air fresheners where fitted and personal hygiene products.
Signage to all areas is words (large print) and pictorial.
We also have lockers with braille on.
Find out more about how Billingham Forum Ice Arena and Tees Active are working with partners to drive positive change in the community.
