Pool Rules

All users including those who book pool rentals or birthday parties must review the pool rules along with their group prior to the rental. Birthday party invitations are available for your use. Please note: you can click the drop down option to choose the pool you have booked. 

The following rules are posted in or around each swimming pool deck and enforced to prevent accidents and keep all users safe.

• Lifeguards are present to ensure the safety of all patrons in and around the pool area and always have full authority.
• If you hear one long blast of the whistle, clear the pool immediately and listen for instructions from the lifeguards.
• Children aged 10 and under must be accompanied in the water by a responsible supervisor of 16 years or older who must remain at arms-length.
• Each responsible supervisor of 16 years or older may accompany a maximum of three children.
• Lifeguards have the right to refuse entry to persons believed to be under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or for any reason that may create a potential hazard.
• All swimmers are required to shower before entering or re-entering the pool area.
• Patrons are required to wear proper bathing attire.
• Patrons are not permitted to change their clothes on the pool deck.
• Patrons are not permitted to wear outside footwear on the pool deck (indoor facilities only).
• Patrons are not permitted to run on the pool deck. The deck may be slippery.
• Food, drink (exception is water in a plastic container), and/or glass bottles, or sharp items are not permitted in the pool area.
• Use of cameras or any devices with camera or video capabilities is prohibited on the pool deck.
• For the safety of patrons, persons infected by communicable diseases, open wounds, sores, or nasal, eye, or ear discharge may not use the pool.
• Patrons with a medical condition that may affect them while swimming are encouraged to attend the facility with someone who is knowledgeable of the condition and to inform a lifeguard if they think they may be in danger of becoming ill.
• Patrons with a medical condition are encouraged to consult a doctor before participating in physical activity.
• Patrons must refrain from polluting the pool water in any manner.
• Diving is not permitted in the shallow end of the pool.
• All patrons in the pool area must be wearing a wrist band, except for private rentals other than birthday parties.
• Patrons are not permitted to wear face masks and snorkels in the pool, unless exempted by a medical note. Goggles are permitted in the pool.
• Dangerous play in or around the pool is prohibited.
• Pool viewing space is available. At Paul Reynolds Community Centre the upstairs viewing space is open during most operating hours. Gated viewing space on the pool deck, adjacent to the leisure pool, is available during swimming lessons or birthday parties only. At the H.G.R. Mews Community Centre, the ‘eating post’ is open during most operating hours.

Keeping our Water Clean and Healthy

• Always use the toilet and shower before entering the water.
• Caregivers should remind their children to let their instructor know if they need to go to the washroom during swimming lessons.
• Caregivers should ensure patrons who require swim diapers are checked regularly.
• Do not eat right before swimming.
• Do not swim if diarrhea or an upset stomach present within in the last 24 hours.
• Caregivers should remind their children to not swallow the pool water.
• Tie back long hair or wear a bathing cap in the pool.

Change Rooms

• Use of cameras and any devices with video capabilities are prohibited in the change rooms.
• Parents/caregivers are asked to use gender-specific or gender-neutral change rooms for all children over the age of six.
• Patrons should secure all belongings. The City of St. John’s is not responsible for lost or stolen property. Locks are available for purchase at the front desk of indoor facilities.
• Glass containers are prohibited in the change rooms.
• Patrons should refrain from changing in toilet stalls.
• Staff always have complete authority.

Lane Swimming Etiquette

• Lane swimmers must keep to the right-hand side of the lane to avoid collision with other swimmers.
• Lane swimmers must be aware of other swimmers and choose the appropriate lane, Slow, Medium, or Fast, based on their speed in comparison to others currently swimming in the lanes.
• If a faster swimmer wishes to pass another in the lane, the faster swimmer should tap the slower swimmer ahead of them lightly on the foot to indicate they wish to pass.
• If a swimmer is slower than swimmer behind them, the slower swimmer should wait at the wall for the faster swimmer behind them to pass.
• For any questions or concerns, lane swimmers should speak to a lifeguard.

Waterslide Rules (Paul Reynolds, Bowring)

• Riders must be at least 1.07 metres (3.5 feet) in height to use the slide on their own.
• Riders should weigh no more than 300lbs (136kgs).
• Riders who are unable to stand up on their own at the bottom of the slide must be accompanied by an adult who should wait at the bottom.
• Riders must go down on their back, feet first and proceed one person at a time, as directed by the lifeguard.
• Riders should never stop while on the slide.
• Patrons who are pregnant or have a limb or back or other weakness or disability must proceed with caution, as it may be unsafe.

Diving Board Rules (Paul Reynolds, Bowring, Mews)

• The weight restriction for diving boards is 250lbs (113kg).
• Only 1 person is permitted on the board at a time.
• Only 1 bounce is permitted.
• Jumping and/or flipping backwards is not permitted.
• Jumping off the side of the board is not permitted.
• Running on the board is not permitted.

Steam and Sauna Rules (Mews)

• Steam and Sauna users must be 16 years of age or older.
• Appropriate swim wear must be always worn in the steam room and sauna.
• All patrons must shower before entering or reentering the steam room or sauna.
• Patrons are recommended to only use the steam room or sauna for a maximum of 10 minutes at a time.
• Patrons must exit the steam room or sauna immediately if they feel uncomfortable, dizzy, or light-headed.
• Scented products, shaving, food, chewing gum, beverages (exception water in plastic container), and newspapers or any paper products are not permitted in the steam room or sauna.
• Patrons are not permitted to exercise in the steam room or sauna.
• Patrons should be cautious on wet surfaces and avoid direct contact with heaters to avoid getting burned.
• Patrons under the influence of alcohol or drugs are not permitted to use the steam room or sauna.
• Spraying the steam sensor, sauna rocks or sauna sensor is dangerous and causes damage to equipment. Users caught doing this will be asked to leave immediately.
• Anyone under a physician’s care, including those suffering from heart disease, diabetes, high or low blood pressure and other health problems, should not enter the steam room or sauna without consulting a physician.
• Pregnant women should not use the steam room or sauna without a doctor’s permission.
• Inappropriate behaviour of any kind will not be tolerated.
• Lifeguards always have full authority.