FLOTATION DEVICES
- Our life-jackets are to be used only on the blue slide and on the low diving boards. Our life-jackets cannot be used in open swimming areas (this includes the big pool and baby pool).
- Patrons can bring their own lifejackets to use in the pool. Patrons can use their own life-jackets in the open swim areas which include the big pool, baby pool, blue slide, and low diving board.
- Patrons who are using life-jackets must be under the supervision by a person who is 15 years or older at all times.
- Arm-floaties or water-wings are not allowed in our facility because they are not US Coast Guard Approved.
- Inflatable flotation devices (and water noodles) are not allowed at our pool. Permission may be given at pool parties (please notify the staff when you book the pool party).
APPROVED TOYS
- There are no squirt guns or squirt noodles allowed at our facility.
- Inflatable balls are not allowed at our pool. This includes beach balls, basketballs, footballs, Nerf balls, etc.
- The only toy-ball that is allowed at our facility are splash balls (if you can squeeze the ball and water comes out it is okay).
- Frisbees must be used outside the facility.
- Bikes, skateboards, and scooters are not allowed inside the facility. There is a bike rack outside the facility. Skateboards and scooters must stay at the front desk.
INDIVIDUAL POOL USE POLICY
All children 6 years of age and younger must be accompanied by an adult or person/supervisor 15 years of age or older. Those children 3 years of age or less must be in direct contact (within an arms length) of an adult/supervisor while in any part of the pool at ALL TIMES. Non-swimmers 4 years of age and older must be accompanied at all times, preferably by someone in direct contact with them, but at the very least by someone directly on the side of the pool where the child is at. The following are expectable ratios for parent/person supervision of children 6 and under at the Redwood Falls Aquatic Center:
- Adults (18+) 4:1 (child to supervisor);ages (11-17) 3:1 (child to supervisor) when accompanied by an adult 18+ in the same group
- Ages (15-17) 2:1 (child to supervisor)
These supervision ratios must be maintained at all times. For example, two adults bring 8 children 6 and under to the aquatic center, then one adult takes one child down the slide and leaves the other 7 children with one adult in the zero depth play area. The proper ratio is no longer maintained.
LAP AREA/DIVING WELL/CLIMBING WALL
In order to be in this area by yourself, you must have passed Level 2 Swimming Lessons and be able to pass a swim test of ‘effectively’ swimming 25 yards without stopping. The swim test will be conducted by a certified WSI instructor if needed—this person will give the final approval.
**Non-swimmer children or children who do not meet this requirement must be in direct contact with (within arms reach) an adult or person/supervisor 15 years of age and older. This person/supervisor must be in the water with the child or directly on the side of the pool.
ZERO DEPTH PLAY AREA
This area is for children of all ages but users must be under adult/person supervision at all times.
PLUNGE AREA
Users must be at least 48” tall to use the large water slides. On the blue slide, users under 48” must wear a life jacket and be accompanied by someone 15 years of age or older. Suits that have metal zippers, buttons, or any kind of eyelets, cannot utilize the water slides.
LILY PAD AREA
Users must be able to reach the cargo net from a standing (flat-footed) position in order to use the lily pad walk. The cargo net must be used in order to proceed across the lily pad walk.
Pool Rules
1. NO RUNNING! Walk at all times (Everyone is expected to walk on all pool decks)
2. Users must be 48” tall to use large water slides. On the blue slide, users under 48” tall must be accompanied by someone 15 years of age or older and wearing a life jacket. Under no circumstances is anyone less than 48” tall permitted to go down the yellow slide.
3. No profanity, vulgar or disrespectful language
4. Diapers must be changed at the diaper changing stations in the locker rooms or restrooms
5. No spitting, spouting, or nose blowing
6. All pool locks must be removed daily from lockers
7. Dive only in the diving area, no sidediving
8. No swimming across the diving area
9. Swimming suits are required–NO street clothes or cutoffs, suits that have metal (zippers, buttons, etc.) cannot utilize the water slides
10. Young children without bladder and bowel control must wear swim diapers
11. No pushing, shoving, or horseplay
12. No dunking
13. No hanging or playing on the marker ropes, steps, or ladders
14. No towel snapping
15. All children 6 years of age and younger must be accompanied by an adult or person/supervisor 15 years of age or older. Those children 3 years of age or less must be in direct contact (within an arms length) of an adult/supervisor while in any part of pool at ALL TIMES. Non-swimmers 4 years of age and older must be accompanied at all times, preferably by someone in direct contact with them, but at the very least by someone directly on the side of the pool where the child is at. The following are expectable ratios for parent/person supervision of children 6 and under at the Redwood Falls Aquatic Center:
- Adults (18+) 4:1 (child to supervisor);ages (11-17) 3:1 (child to supervisor) when accompanied by an adult 18+ in the same group
- Ages (15-17) 2:1 (child to supervisor)
16. No smoking in or around the pool area
{Reasoning: The pool is largely used by youth and it also has a focus of a family atmosphere. For this reason, the pool and the area around the pool is designated as ‘No Smoking’.}
17. ABSOLUTELY NO GLASS CONTAINERS
18. NO FOOD, GUM OR BEVERAGES OUTSIDE THE CONCESSION OR PARTY TENT AREAS
19. Strollers ARE ALLOWED
20. All locks must be removed from lockers after each shift.
21. The RFAC has a minimal number of lifejackets, and they are only to be used for children going down the blue slide or going off the diving board, WITH someone supervising them. No lifejackets will be given out to just swim around in the pool.
22. Children who have not proven to be an adequate swimmer (pass Level 2), may go off the diving board, but MUST have a lifejacket on and MUST be in the direct supervision of someone 15 years of age or older.
**Management and pool staff have the right to remove anyone from the pool that they feel is not following the rules or is causing danger to other patrons.
It is a privilege to use the Redwood Falls Aquatic Center.
Patrons may be asked to leave the pool area if these simple rules cannot be honored.
Emergency Procedures
RAIN: Pool will be open if it is raining, unless it is raining so hard that visibility of the water is pool and the rain pattern on the water hinders the lifeguard’s vision.
COLD WEATHER: The air temperature must be at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit for the pool to be open during open swim and for swimming lessons or water aerobics to be held. The air temperature must be at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit for lap swim to be held. Please listen to KLGR for swim lesson updates or any other pool announcements.
LIGHTNING: The pool will be cleared at the first sight of lightening and will remain closed until 30 minutes after the last lightening strike.
TORNADO: Warning: Pool is closed–when a tornado siren is sounded, all patrons will be cleared from the pool and will proceed quickly to the locker rooms at the pool away from windows. Watch: Pool has the potential to be closed (based off manager’s discretion or Aquatic Coordinator’s discretion)
STOOL ALERT: The pool will be closed, the feces removed, and chlorine added to the pool. The pool will remain closed until pool water is deemed safe for the public to use. If the stool is in solid form the feces should be removed, super-chlorinate the area with 1 gallon bleach, and wait 30 minutes to reopen the pool. If the stool is a cloudy diarrhea that cannot be strained out with a net, the pool shall be closed until further notice and the water department contacted immediately.
CHLORINE GAS LEAK ACTION PLAN: Look for a cloud or an overbearing chlorine smell that may burn the nostrils or take your breath away. Also, be aware of the chlorine leak detector that will sound an alarm. The on-call water department number and the aquatics coordinator should be called immediately. The pool will be cleared. The staff will take all patrons away from the pool in the opposite direction that the wind is blowing and away from the chlorine storage area. Make sure the main sidewalk areas are cleared for emergency personnel.
GENERAL WATER QUALITY ISSUES: The quality of the pool water is monitored frequently throughout the day. If at anytime the water quality is not at a safe standard, the pool will be closed until he desired quality is achieved.
POOL CLOSING POLICY
Lack of Participants for the day (Open Swim)
*If 10 or less patrons are using the pool after the 1st 30 minutes the swimming pool facility is open or during any continuous 30 minute duration the pool will close. All patrons asked to leave due to lack of participants will be given a “be-back” coupon good for admission for any day in the current pool season. No refunds will be given. The pool manager will reevaluate the conditions every 2 hours to see if the pool should reopen. Patrons should check back after this time period to see if the status of the pool has changed. Sending staff home will be left to the discretion of the manager.