I can’t believe that we head into March this week and with that it means that this Sunday the Sheffield March Madness Gala takes place at Ponds Forge.

I have put this post together with the hope that it will have all the information that you need for Sunday!

Please have a read below and if you have any other questions email meets@wiganswimmingclub.org.uk

Firstly on the day we ask that all swimmers are in reception at Ponds Forge AT LEAST 30 mins before the warmup times stated below. One of the team managers or Andy will meet you there and take you to our base within the poolhall for the day. It is very important you arrive promptly so that swimmers can have a minute to take everything in. Ponds Forge is a big place!!!!

Warm up  – Morning Session 7.55am- 9am Start

                       – Afternoon session  1pm Warm up – 2pm Start
Sunday Morning Time Sunday Afternoon Time
Girls 9, 10, 11 & 12 years 07:55 – 08:10 Girls 9, 10, 11 & 12 years 13.00 – 13:15
Girls 13, 14, 15/over 08:10 – 08:25 Girls 13, 14, 15/over 13:15 – 13:30
Boys 9, 10, 11 & 12 years 08:25 – 08:40 Boys 9, 10, 11 & 12 years 13:30 – 13:45
Boys 13, 14, 15/over 08:40 – 08:55 Boys 13, 14, 15/over 13:45 – 14:00

 

Withdrawals – Please notify withdrawals by email to: marchmadnes1@gmail.com or to the Omega Suite on poolside before 8.00am for the morning heats and before 1.00pm for the afternoon heats.

Car Parking

There are a number of options for parking at Ponds Forge. There is parking just across the road at Castle Gate Q-Park, Broad Street where discounted prices will be honoured for anybody attending an event at Ponds Forge. By scanning your Q-Park voucher at the main reception desk in Ponds Forge you’ll receive a discounted parking rate. Ponds Forge also has a car park that you can use however Sheffield tell us that parking at Q-Park is more cost effective for a full day than Ponds Forge car park.
These car parks will cost between £9-12 for 12 hours. If you don’t mind a little walk parking can be found for as little as £3.50 for 12 hours. This can be done by using such websites as parkopedia or just park.
If you are a blue badge holder you can park at Ponds Forge for free just make sure to register your car at the main reception within Ponds Forge. As well as this blue badge holders can also park for free on Pond Street which runs next to Ponds Forge.
General Information
The pool itself is literally a 2 minute walk from the city centre where you can find shops and food outlets if you need snacks throughout the day although there is a cafe within the venue.
As a reminder we suggest that swimmers bring a couple of towels with them, plenty food and lots of drinks to keep hydrated, footwear for when they are moving around the building is VERY IMPORTANT, club t shirt and club swim hat (if worn).
Last year Sheffield sent information out regarding ticket prices for spectators closer to the date along with any last bits of information that you may need. They added it to the webpage for the March Madness gala along with a link to the live results. I have added a shortcut to the webpage for this years event below.
Please click HERE to find Sheffield’s website.