Accessibility at H.G.R. Mews Community Centre

I was recently invited to the new H.G.R. Mews Community Centre in St. John’s next to Mundy Pond. This new community centre opened last fall and a lot of thought was put into making it a very inclusive space for the city, so I wanted to go there and check out all of the accessibility features they have to offer. I have to say, I was incredibly impressed by the level of inclusion and accessibility throughout the building and surrounding property.

Here are the accessibility features at H.G.R. Mews:

Jumpstart Inclusive Playground

Image of an inclusive playground with red spongey ground, inclusive merry-go-round and a ramped play area in the background. — ID: An inclusive playground with red spongey ground, inclusive merry-go-round and a ramped play area in the background. Photo courtesy of The City of St. John’s.

At over 11,000 square feet, this is the largest inclusive play space in St. John’s welcoming kids of all abilities to play. The play space was built using universal design principles and with input from the City’s Inclusion Advisory Committee. From double-wide ramps to barrier and transfer-free equipment, it is thoughtfully designed to accommodate physical, cognitive and sensory disabilities.

I love the additions of a communication board, areas where kids can learn braille and ASL, and plenty of wheelchair accessible picnic tables around the perimeter of the playground. There are also two wheelchair accessible washrooms located on the outside of the H.G.R. Mews building closest to the playground, so you don’t have to go inside the building to use the washroom when visiting the playground. These bathrooms have automated doors, barrier free access, toilets with grab bars, an accessible sink that you can wheel under and a mirror at wheelchair height.

Community Garden & Orchard

ID: A paved community garden with raised garden beds in two rows. Photo courtesy of The City of St. John’s.

The new H.G.R. Mews Community Centre has an accessible community garden, as well as an edible orchard which includes a variety of apple, cherry, plum and pear trees. The garden has paved paths, raised garden beds that are easier to access from a wheelchair, a storage shed with a ramp to the door, and a wheelchair accessible picnic table.

Public Pool

The pool area consists of a 25 metre, six lane swimming pool with a rock climbing wall in the deep end of the pool, a leisure pool with a bubble bench and interactive water features, and a steam room. The leisure pool offers a zero depth beach entry to the pool while the lane pool has a ramped entrance. There are multiple pool wheelchairs available. There are also inclusive and accessible change rooms with automated doors, toilets with grab rails, accessible sinks and wheelchair height mirrors, accessible roll in showers with benches, and hydraulic adult change tables.

Full Size Gymnasium

The gymnasium is equipped with hardwood floors, which is great for sports like basketball, pickleball, volleyball, soccer, and other sports activities. There are automated door openers to enter the gymnasium.

Walking/Rolling Track

ID:A three lane walking track overlooking the gymnasium. Photo courtesy of The City of St. John’s.

Overlooking the gymnasium there is a 100 metre indoor walking track with three lanes. There are benches located in the corners of the track as well as lots of seating in the main area just beside the track. This was definitely my favourite part of the community centre.

Convertible Courts

Two convertible courts are available for squash, handball or racquetball. A spectator viewing and seating area is located outside the courts and coin operated lockers are available. Located next to these courts are portable rubber threshold ramps that can be used on either side of the door threshold so a wheelchair user can enter and exit the court area.

Multi-purpose Space

ID: A large multi-purpose room that can be partitioned into two smaller rooms. Along the back wall you can see into the kitchen area. Photo courtesy of The City of St. John’s.

There are two multi-purpose rooms with an operable partition wall and shared kitchen to accommodate functions such as family reunions, birthdays, wedding/baby showers, etc. These rooms have automated doors and kitchens where most appliances are in reach from a wheelchair (the oven might be a challenge for someone sitting in a wheelchair).

The main atrium in the H.G.R. Mews with the stairs to the second floor, lots of public washrooms, seating areas and access to the gymnasium. — ID:The main atrium in the H.G.R. Mews with the stairs to the second floor, lots of public washrooms, seating areas and doors to the gymnasium. Photo courtesy of The City of St. John’s.

Other Accessibility Features

The H.G.R. Mews has ten accessible parking spaces, including one van stall. There are multiple gender neutral and accessible public washrooms and change stalls. The washroom signs indicate LH or RH on them to let a wheelchair user know if the grab rails are on the left hand side or right hand side. There are automated entrances throughout the building, as well as elevator access to the second floor. There are adult and child change stations. They offer an assistive listening device for anyone who may need it. There is large print wayfinding signage with text, symbols and braille, as well as colour contrasting transition edging on the stairs.

The H.G.R. Mews Community Centre is located at 60 Blackler Avenue in St. John’s, and there is a Metrobus stop nearby on Route 12.

To learn more about the recreational programs offered by The City of St. John’s at the H.G.R. Mews click here.