Swimming

COVID-19 Policies

• All time slots must be reserved in advance for the purpose of contact tracing
• All family members attending Rec Swims will need to be booked separately - in-person and phone-in requests will not be taken
• Length swims available in both the Gold & Red Pool for 60 and 90-minute time slots with a maximum of one patron per lane
• Rec swims are available in the Red Pool for 60-minute time slots with a maximum of 16 swimmers
• Time slots can be reserved as early as 7 days in advance
• Time slots will be available to reserve up until the desired start time
• Clients are expected to cancel reservations on their own and can do so without penalty up to 1 hour prior to the reserved time
• Clients who make a reservation and continuously do not show will have their membership temporarily suspended
• Non-members will be denied access to reserved time slots
• Limit of 1 time slot per activity, per day. If space permits, clients may request to book a consecutive time slot by checking with staff at that time

Rec Swim COVID-19 Protocols

• Everyone is required to complete the U of G COVID-19 Screening Form prior to every visit using the QR code or by visiting > uoguel.ph/COVID19screening or access to the facility will be denied
• If you experience any symptoms on the screening form or do not feel well, please stay home
• Swimmers are asked to come dressed in swim attire under street clothes and carry minimal personal items (small bag, towel, goggles, water bottle)
• Recreation Members will enter through the Larry Pearson entrance
• Everyone must check-in at Client Services upon arrival
• Currently change rooms are open to pool users only, 10 minutes prior to the reserved time slot and 10 minutes after the reserved time
• Since lockers are currently not available, Client Services will provide you with a bin to hold personal belongings
• Signs will be posted to indicate where personal swim items can be left
• Swimmers will be required to wear their face covering on the pool deck up until their scheduled pool time, and then again while exiting the pool area
• Swimmers will not be permitted on the pool deck until 5 minutes prior to their scheduled swim time
• Limited seating for spectators will be clearly marked
• Hair dryers and bathing suit dryers currently not available
• Swim snorkels are not permitted at this time
• Red Pool Diving board and Gold Pool diving blocks not available for public use

 Rec Swim time slot: Book NOW 

POOL SAFETY MEASURES DURING THE PANDEMIC

Scheduled cleaning takes place in between all pool programs where all high touch-point surfaces are disinfected, and clean swim equipment is re-stocked. There is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, or water playgrounds. Additionally, proper operation of these aquatic venues and disinfection of the water (with chlorine or bromine) should inactivate the virus. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#Water

Recreational Swim Information

• Children 7 years of age or older are required to use the change room designated for their gender
• Universal/Non-Gender change rooms available for families and individuals looking for a non-gender specific space
• Please refrain from entering the pools until a lifeguard is on duty
• Street shoes are not permitted on the deck
• Children 15 years of age and under are not permitted in the Steam Room or Hot Tub unless accompanied by an adult

Pool Admission Standards

For a Visual Explanation of Pool Admission Standards Click here

• Children 5 years of age and under must be directly supervised (within arm’s reach), regardless of swimming ability, by a guardian 16 years of age or older. Maximum of 2 children per guardian
• Children 6-9 years of age, who cannot swim 2 uninterrupted widths of the Red Pool, must be supervised by a guardian 16 years of age or older
• Guardian must be present at the time of the swim test
• Maximum of 4 children per guardian
• The ratio of guardians to swimmers 6-9 years of age, who cannot complete the facility swim test, may be increased to a maximum of 8 bathers to one guardian if approved personal flotation devices are worn by all non-swimmers in their care
• Those with serious medical conditions should be accompanied by an individual knowledgeable of their condition and responsible for their direct supervision

Lane Swim Etiquette

• Centre lanes are for faster, continuous swimming
• Please circle swim unless agreed upon with lane-mates to swim side by side
• Slower, lap swimming on each side of fast lanes
• Outer lanes for slow/beginner swimmers, and water workouts

Red Pool

The Red Pool was built in 1958. It is a 25 yard pool with a 4ft shallow end and 11 ft deep end, with diving board, and has an approximate temperature of 84 degrees F.

Gold Pool

The Gold Pool was built in 1993. It is a 25 metre, 8 lane lap pool with a 6ft continuous depth, and has an approximate temperature of 81 degrees F.

Hot Tub - Closed

At this time the hot tub remains closed to assist with encouraging social distancing. Steam Rooms remain closed based on current recommendations by the Government of Ontario, as they
are deemed a high-risk location. The Hot Tub was built in 1993. It is a kidney shaped tub with bench seating along, and has an approximate temperature of 102 degrees F.

Facility Guidelines

Athletics is committed to providing a safe, inviting recreation experience for the University of Guelph community. Please assist us by adhering to the following guidelines.

1. Persons 15 years of age and under participating in Recreation activities must be accompanied by a paying parent or guardian at all times.
2. Programming space is to be shared appropriately with all participants.
3. Food or glass bottles are not permitted in the pool area
4. Inappropriate behavior such as swearing, physical or verbal abuse will not be tolerated and may result in loss of building access privileges and/or immediate removal from facility.
5. All programming ends 30 minutes prior to the building closing. All equipment must be returned at this time.
6. When Change rooms are available, they will be inspected by a Client Services Representative upon building closure.
7. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in removal from facility and/or loss of access privileges.

Please forward any comments or suggestions to Client Services 519-824-4120 ext. 56253.

Equipment 

Swim goggles and caps are available for purchase at Client Services.

A selection of equipment is available for loan to U of G Students/Athletics Members during Recreation times. Fees may apply for some items, visit Equipment Lending for details.

You are an Athletics Member if you are a registered full or part-time undergraduate or a full-time graduate student of the University of Guelph (Athletics Base Membership paid within your academic fees) or have purchased an Athletics Base Membership.
Not a member yet? Visit Membership Services