Village of Spencerville
Swimming Pool
Operating Rules and Regulations
Approved by Building/Grounds and Recreational Committee: March 13, 2007
Approved by Village of Spencerville’s Council: April 7, 2008
Revised: April 7, 2008
The following rules and regulations have been established for the benefit and protection of all users of the Spencerville Swimming Pool and facilities. All patrons must observe these rules and regulations and must be considerate of the rights of other patrons. Parents are responsible for ensuring that their children observe the rules and obey the instructions of the Pool Manager, the lifeguards, other pool attendants, Buildings and Grounds/Recreation Committee, and the Village of Spencerville.
1. Pool Management and Control
The Pool Manager or in his/her absence, the Assistant Manager, is in complete charge of the pool. As the agent of the Village of Spencerville, he/she will operate the swimming pool in a safe and orderly manner, will supervise all personnel, and is responsible for enforcing all rules and regulations. The Pool Manager is authorized to make on-the-spot decisions regarding these rules and regulations. All persons using the pool facilities are expected to observe these rules and to follow the direction of the Pool Manager and his/her Assistant. Serious or repeated offenses will be reported to the Buildings and Grounds/Recreation Committee for consideration of further appropriate actions.
When the weather conditions dictate that the pool should be closed, the Pool Manager or the Assistant Manager is responsible and authorized to the clear and close the pool.
2. Hours of Operation
A. The pool will be open the first day after the Spencerville School District goes on summer break to the first day before the School reopens in the fall. Operating hours for the general public shall be from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. All persons must clear the pool area and parking lot promptly (within 15 minutes of the closing time of the Pool) in order to allow the staff time to clean and close the premises. Private pool parties may be booked during the regular season, but after normal operating hours. Cost will be charged as per current ordinance.
B. The pool will be closed as necessary for emergency maintenance operations. At such times, NO ONE is permitted within the pool enclosure except authorized personnel.
C. The pool will NOT open for general swimming on any day when the air temperature is not at 65 degrees or above. However, if the air temperature does go above 65 degrees before 3:00 p.m. the pool will open. If the air temperature does not go above 65 degrees, the pool will remain closed.
D. The pool shall be closed if the air temperature at the pool drops below 65 degrees any time during the day. In case of any such closure, the guards will confirm this with the Pool Manager.
E. The Pool Manager has the authority to close the pool for inclement weather (local or approaching electrical storm) and Tornado warning. No rain checks for Bad Weather Closing will be issued without approval from the manager. When closing occurs during open pool hours, the manager will close the pool for 30 minutes. If conditions do not improve during that time, the manager will close the pool for the day.
F. Other pool closings for special events or functions must be authorized by the Buildings and Grounds/Recreation Committee. To the extent possible, the public shall be advised of such closings in advance.
G. Any person entering, using or remaining upon the pool premises other than during the designated hours of operation, unless specifically authorized by the Buildings and Grounds/Recreation Committee, shall be considered a trespasser and subject to criminal and civil prosecution.
3. Admission
A. Admission, be it either daily admission or a season pass, to the Village pool will be charged as per current ordinance.
B. No child 8 years old or under shall be permitted at the pool without a person who is 14 years or older. The older person must remain at the pool and supervise the younger child(ren) at all times. Parents are reminded that they are ultimately responsible for their child(ren) at all times
C. No one shall use another person’s pass to gain entrance to the pool. Anyone found using another person’s pass or in turn letting another person use their pool pass will have their pool pass revoked and the pass user will have their pool privileges terminated for the remainder of the season.
4. Health and Safety
A. The Pool Manager, or in his/her absence, the Assistant Manager, will have final and conclusive authority to enforce all regulations relating to health and safety, and will eject from the Village of Spencerville Swimming Pool property any persons failing to observe health and safety rules, or who otherwise improperly conduct themselves. Repeated offenses will be reported to the Buildings and Grounds/Recreation Committee for consideration of further action as deemed appropriate.
B. In the event of an emergency, the pool will be cleared of all occupants.
C. Once each hour the lifeguards will signal a 15 minute break period for swimmers age 17 and under. ALL swimmers age 17 and under must clear the pool at that time and remain out of the pool until the lifeguards signal the end of the break period.
Swimmers that will be allowed during breaks are adults (18 yrs of age or older) and pre-school age children when accompanied by an adult.
No lifeguards will be permitted to take children into the pool.
D. Only children who have passed the basic swimming test requirements will be permitted to go into the deep end. The Basic swimming test requirements are:
1. Swim the pool width (down and back). Child must be able to swim it above water.
2. Float for one minute on your back.
3. Tread water for one minute.
All 3 steps must be passed before a child will be allowed to enter the deep end.
E. The Village of Spencerville and/or its employees are not responsible for children waiting to be picked up at the pool. It is recommended that children waiting to be picked up remain in the fenced area.
F. Parents are to instruct their children to use the toilet facilities and not to urinate or defecate in the pool. Patrons should immediately notify the Swimming Pool staff if defecation or vomit is detected in the pool.
G. The wading pool is designated for toddlers and is to be used ONLY by children age 5 years and younger.
H. Infants and toddlers who are not toilet trained must be in swim diapers. Infants and toddlers without proper diaper protection will not be allowed to use the pool. For health code reasons, diaper changing is permitted ONLY in the restrooms.
I. Children in the wading pool must be supervised AT ALL TIMES by their parents and/or designated sitter, who are expected to maintain discipline. The lifeguards will give their primary attention to the main pool. Adult supervision in the wading pool is to be constant, direct, and personal.
J. Water wings or approved life vests are the only flotation devices permitted in the main pool for artificial support. PARENTS MUST BE WITHIN ARMS REACH OF CHILDREN USING THESE DEVICES AT ALL TIMES.
K. Admission to the pool may be refused to persons wearing bandages, or having severe skin abrasions, colds, coughs, badly inflamed eyes, open sores, nasal or ear discharge, or excessive sunburn.
L. Law enforcement agency shall be contacted by pool management as necessity dictates.
5. Expected and Enforced Behavior While at the Spencerville Swimming Pool
A. Spencerville Swimming Pool is a smoke-free zone. There is no smoking within the fenced perimeter of the pool. A smoking area is provided in the rear of building by the dumpster. This will be the only area in which smoking is permitted on premises.
B. NO RUNNING, PUSHING, or causing undue disturbance in or about the pool area is permitted.
C. Spitting, spouting of water, blowing of nose, etc., is prohibited in the pool.
D. No person will be permitted in the water during period of general swimming unless attired is appropriate swimwear. Cut-off shorts and street clothes are NOT allowed.
E. No pets shall be allowed within the fenced area of the Spencerville Pool.
F. No glass articles (including baby bottles) are allowed on the pool premises.
G. No alcoholic beverages shall be permitted anywhere on the Spencerville Pool premises.
H. No food or trash of any kind is permitted on the concrete deck immediately adjacent to the pool. No food or drink of any kind is permitted while in or sitting along the edge of the pool.
I. There shall be no gum chewing or use of any kind of chewing tobacco while in the pool or the pool deck.
J. The use of toys, balls etc., shall not be permitted in the main pool.
K. Bicycle riders will use the parking lot rack for parking bicycles.
L. No person shall place, throw, or otherwise allow to be placed or thrown into the main pool or wading pool, any trash, food items, tree limbs, furniture, or any other items that are not pool toys or actually intended for pool use. Persons found doing so are subject to immediate expulsion from the pool and his/her swimming privileges suspended.
M. All cost of any pool property damaged shall be charged to the person who is responsible.
N. Except in case of an emergency, the office and pool office telephone is for use by pool staff only. Patrons shall use the telephone for outgoing calls at the rate posted on the wall in the pool office.
O. Radios, televisions, CD players, etc., WITHOUT HEADSETS are not allowed in the pool area.
P. If a youth is expelled for disciplinary reasons, the pool will require a note from the parents or legal guardians guaranteeing the youth’s behavior. Upon the second disciplinary expulsion, the youth can only be present at the pool when accompanied by the parent at all times.
Q. All patrons must safeguard their possessions while at the pool. The Village of Spencerville and the pool management cannot be responsible for any items left unattended by their owners.
R. Only employees of the Village of Spencerville are allowed in the office area and chemical room of the pool house.
S. No playing with pool equipment.
T. No squirt guns or water balloons.
U. No public display of affection.
V. No flips or back dives off diving boards and/or sides.
W. Piggyback games such as “chicken fighting” shall not be permitted.
6. Rules for the Diving Boards
A. No horseplay or shoving.
B. Only one person may be on the diving board at a time.
C. No excessive bouncing on the boards.
D. No diving to the side of the board.
E. There will be no diving until the previous diver has cleared the area below the board.
F. There will be no hanging from the board at any time by any person.
G. Divers must swim out of the diving area immediately after surfacing and must exit the pool by use of the ladders only.
H. Diving boards may be closed at the discretion of the lifeguard in order to allow swimming in the deep end.
I. No shoes of any kind, including street shoes, sneakers, sandals, or flip flops may be worn by persons using the diving boards.
J. No one is permitted to adjust the fulcrum of the diving boards without proper authorization.
K. For safety’s sake, no person (including a parent) is permitted in the deep end to “catch” or assist others going off the diving board.
L. No flips or back dives.
7. Disciplinary Actions
A. If you break any of the following rules:
1.) No smoking on premises.
2.) No alcohol on premises.
3.) No tobacco use of any kind.
4.) No flips off diving boards or sides of pool.
The violators will be required to leave the premises and will not be permitted to return for three (3) days.
B. Other Disciplinary Actions:
1st Offense – Verbal Warning
2nd Offense – 30 minutes on the bench
3rd Offense – Pool privileges revoked for 3 days
Three 3rd Offenses – Pool privileges terminated for the season
8. Rules for Lifeguards
A. Whistle notification:
1.) One short blast- to get swimmers attention.
2.) Two short blasts- to get another guards attention
3.) Three short blasts- to indicate to all guards and staff that emergency procedures for traumatic injury should be undertaken.
4.) One long blast – to stop all activity for the purpose of clearing the pool.
B. Stay in your assigned area at all times. Under no circumstance should it be left unattended. If changing positions, wait until replacement arrives.
C. Inform people who violate pool rules and regulations that they will be asked to leave the pool for further violations.
D. The manager on duty shall have the authority to assign any reasonable tasks required to maintain efficient and responsible operation of the pool.
E. Concession employee should keep entire area neat and clean. Stock supplies during slow periods.
F. BE ALERT, PROFESSIONAL, COURTEOUS AND TACTFUL AT ALL TIMES.
G. No cell phones while on duty. For the safety of our patrons, cell phones are not permitted while on duty.
H. You must wear your complete uniform while on duty. Uniform will consist of suit, lanyard with whistle, sunscreen, rescue “Tube” and a fanny pack (mask and gloves).
I. Violation of any of the pool rules shall result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the pool facility.
9. Recommended standards for Swimming Pool Design and Operation
Any rule or regulation not covered fully or at all shall follow the Recommended Standards for Swimming Pool Design and Operation and the Ohio Revised Codes.