Speedgates improve patron access at Balga Leisurepark

A refurbishment of the City of Stirling’s popular Balga Leisurepark aquatic and recreation facility has included the installation of state-of-the-art ‘speedgates’ to improve accessibility for its less mobile patrons, enhance customer service and boost efficiency through automation.

Offering meeting rooms, sports courts, a gym and swimming pools, Balga Leisurepark receives around 320,000 and Facility Manager Luke Ellis said the facility had wanted to enhance accessibility for people with reduced mobility and improve the customer experience.

EasyGate SG speedgates from Centaman Entrance Control were chosen for this purpose.

The new speedgates are wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs, mobility frames, and extra-wide buggies. The facility experiences higher visitor numbers at certain times of the day, and the gates are sandblasted with entry and exit symbols to improve wayfinding.

Ellis explains “we’re finding the speed of access has greatly improved. With the new speedgates, it’s very clear what is an entry or exit.

“Previously, people had to push open a gate or go through turnstiles with rotating arms. That led to some compromises. You’d get people with prams who had to hold the gate open to the side, and also young children attempting to duck under or get around the turnstiles. The new gates work hands-free, so that doesn’t happen anymore.”

With Balga Leisurepark having separate entrances for its swimming pools and fitness centre each gate is now equipped with a scanner so swimming pool and fitness centre members can enter with an access card.

In case of a fire alarm or other emergencies, an automated panel is programmed to open the speedgates so visitors can exit easily.

Ellis said other efficiencies arise from the turnstile’s ability to connect with the Leisureparka’s facility management software which receives data from the gates to inform business reporting while staff can operate the gates from the front desk if necessary.

The primary motivation for installing the speedgates at the facility was to reduce operating costs and improve the visitor experience by allowing customers to self-manage their own entry and exit to the facility.

Ellis explained this also meant staff could focus on good customer service rather than ‘transacting’ with people, adding “from my perspective, the best thing about effective entrance control is that I don’t have to worry about or think about it.

“We are not having to assist customers who have issues with getting in, they are finding it easy and it’s very intuitive. The new turnstiles allow us to direct resources to the right place to get the best bang for our buck.”

Click here to contact CENTAMAN Entrance Control in Australia and New Zealand via their Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory entry.

Images show Balga Leisurepark's newly installed speedgates.

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