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Home > Services > Recreation Services > Swimming > Pool Guidelines & Safety Standards
​Pool Guidelines & Safety Standards
Safety is our top priority. The City of Vaughan continues to follow all provincial regulations and public health measures regarding COVID-19 safety. As the province continues to gradually ease restrictions, we will be ready to adjust programming accordingly. Click here for other updates and requirements. For more information, visit the City’s COVID-19 webpage at vaughan.ca/COVID19.
Based on the guidance of The Lifesaving Society, and provincial and regional public health authorities as it relates to COVID-19, pool users can expect to see some changes to city-operated pools. Outlined below are new standards to ensure safe pool usage and the ongoing health and safety of swimmers and aquatic staff.

Note: These guidelines are subject to change based on ongoing advice provided by federal and provincial public health officials.
The pool viewing gallery is closed until further notice. At this time the community centres have controlled access by registration and permit only. Parents must register for a recreational swim to participate with their child, otherwise they will be required to leave the facility.
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Pool Guidelines & Safety Standards

General Information
  • Lockers are available for your use. Please bring your own lock and leave all valuables at home. Some pools have lockers available for 25 cents. Please take every precaution to secure your items.
  • The use of cameras, cell phones, personal data assistants (PDAs) or similar devices for the purpose of photography is strictly prohibited in all City-operated change rooms. Photos of the pool area must be arranged in advance with the pool staff.
  • Pool swim times are for recreation only and not to be used for personal profit (i.e. teaching private swim lessons). The City of Vaughan reserves the right to deny access to an individual(s) deemed to be in violation of this policy.
  • Every bather should take a cleansing shower or bath using soap and warm water before entering the deck.
  • Shared pool space: City of Vaughan swimming pools operate in accordance with Ontario Health Act for Public Pool Regulations, which allow for different aquatic activities to run in the pool at the same time. Therefore, recreational/length swimming, aquafitness, swim lessons and/or aquatic leadership courses may, at times, run simultaneously.
What to wear in the pool
  • Proper bathing attire means clothing worn for swimming only. No street clothes, shoes or undergarments.
  • Outside footwear must be removed before the shower area and cannot be worn on deck.
  • Pool foulings can result in programming delays or pool shut down. Children not toilet-trained must wear swimmer pull-ups (Lil Swimmers). Suitable items may be purchased at pool counter. Diapers – disposable or cloth – are not permitted.
  • Swimmers with long hair are encouraged to secure it and/or wear a bathing cap.
Changeroom Age Requirements
Children 7 years of age and older are required to use the changeroom of their own gender or the family changeroom if accompanied by an adult. If this is not suitable, please contact aquatic staff so that appropriate accommodations can be arranged.

Family Changerooms: The family change room is for use by all ages and genders. Private change cubicle(s) are available and bathing suits must be worn when using showers and at all times outside of cubicles.

We ask patrons to use gender-specific change rooms when possible during peak times to ensure the family change room is available for those that require private change areas. Family changerooms are available at Al Palladini, Chancellor, Dufferin Clark, Father E. Bulfon, Maple, North Thornhill and Vellore Village pools. There are no family change rooms at Woodbridge pool.

Cubicles are for changing only. Please do not leave personal items (i.e. towels, clothing, toiletries, etc.) in the change stalls.


Thornhill Outdoor Pool Only
  • If there is thunder and lighting at the Thornhill Outdoor Pool, it closes for 30 minutes and participants are encouraged to seek cover in a safe location. The pool deck is closed until it is safe to reopen.
  • If lifeguards can’t see the bottom of the pool, it closes until the visibility improves and allows the lifeguards to safely scan all areas of the pool.
Admission Guidelines

Parents, guardians or group leaders are responsible for the children in their care while in the facility and must directly supervise the children at all times.We strongly recommend the buddy system and encourage people to attend in pairs or small groups.

6 YEARS OF AGE & UNDER
  • Must be accompanied by a parent or guardian 16 years+ who is responsible for their direct supervision. (Maximum of 2 children per guardian).
  • Parent/guardian must be in bathing attire and within arms reach of the child(ren) at all times in or out of the water.
7–9 YEARS OF AGE
  • Must use gender specific change rooms.

Child is a non-swimmer or cannot complete facility swim test:

  • Must be accompanied by a parent or guardian 14 years+ (maximum of 2 children per guardian) who is responsible for their direct supervision. Maximum number of children increases to 8 per guardian when all children are 7–9 years of age and wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD).
  • Parent/guardian must be in bathing attireand within arms reach of the child(ren) at all times in or out of the water.

Child can complete facility swim test: Admitted unaccompanied. We recommended to always swim with a buddy. Note: Facility swim test must be completed at every visit.

10 YEARS OF AGE & OLDER
  • Must use gender specific change rooms.
  • Admitted unaccompanied. Recommended to always swim with a buddy.

Admittance requirements for day camps & groups
The above guidelines apply to all day camps and groups. Arrangements for groups of more than 20 children should be made through the aquatic staff at your facility in advance of your arrival.

Medical Conditions
Individuals with serious medical conditions, especially seizure disorders, must be accompanied by a person knowledgeable of their condition and directly responsible for their supervision.

  • We strongly recommend the buddy system and encourage people to attend in pairs or small groups.
  • Swimmers with long hair are encouraged to secure it and/or wear a bathing cap.
Unsure? Be sure! Wristband Policy

Red Wrist Band: Non-Swimmer
9 years of age & under. Accompanied by parent or guardian.

Yellow Wrist Band: Unaccompanied
7-9 years of age. Facility swim test required.*

Green Wrist Band: Strong Swimmer
7-9 years of age. Permitted unaccompanied in all swimming areas. Successfully completed facility swim test.* Applied by lifeguard.

10 years of age or older?
Unaccompanied. It’s always recommended to swim with a buddy!

*The facility swim test includes, but is not limited to, swimming 25 metres.
Registered Programs Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Information

Recreation Services - Aquatics
 
Phone: 905-832-2281

Email: swim@vaughan.ca
 
Location:
City Hall, Level 300
2141 Major Mackenzie Drive
Vaughan, ON  L6A 1T1
 
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