Pools and Aquatics

Admission Standards

Admission Standards for public pools were developed by the Office of the Coroner of Ontario to assist lifeguards in maintaining adequate surveillance over the whereabouts and the activities of young bathers while they are within the pool enclosure.

The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term care strongly support these recommendations for the purpose of preventing injuries and fatalities.

• Children 5 years of age and under will receive a red wristband upon entry.
• Children 6 to 9 years of age will receive a yellow wristband upon entry.
• Children 10 years of age and older can swim alone.
• Children 6 to 9 years of age can swim alone, given they pass the swim test; they will receive a green wristband.

Swim Test

To be completed upon every visit: swim (front crawl) a minimum of 3 widths of the pool (or 2 widths at FH Leslie). Upon passing the test swimmers will receive a green wristband.

Children 6 to 9 years of age who are unable to complete the test must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is at least 16 years of age and responsible for their direct supervision. (Maximum: 2 children for each parent/guardian.)

Children 5 years of age and under may not be admitted unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian who is at least 16 years of age and responsible for their direct supervision. (Maximum: 2 children for each parent/guardian.)

New! Before you visit a pool this year, review these important details and be prepared:

• Pool Admission Standards (including Swim Test) are in effect.
• Come dressed to swim. (Change room access is limited. No lockers available.)
• Shower at home before and after your visit. (No showers available.)
• Leave your hair dryer/electric shaver, etc. at home. (Change room and washroom access is limited.)
• Washrooms will be available upon request.
• Admittance/entry will be controlled by staff.
• A COVID-19 screening questionnaire and hand sanitizer are required for admittance (for everyone).
• Enter at the pool deck gate and exit at opposite deck gate. (Follow signs unless otherwise directed by staff.)
• Face coverings are required when you enter the facility/pool deck and must be worn until you enter the water.
• Keep your belongings in a bag/backpack on the pool deck. (No lockers available.)
• Bring your own goggles, if required.
• Keep at least 6 feet/2 metres from others at all times. (Signage will be prominently displayed to remind everyone.)

Cleaning and Sanitization

• Multiple hand sanitizer stations are available throughout the facilities
• Practice good hygiene: keep your hands clean and limit your contact with common/high-touch surfaces.
• Staff will evacuate the pool every hour and a half (90 minutes) to sanitize high-touch areas including door handles, handrails, countertops, restroom doors, faucets, sinks, toilets, light switches and pool ladders
• Water chemistry levels will be checked every two hours to ensure adequate levels of sanitization.
• Limited pool equipment will be used and will be sanitized between each use.

Physical Distancing

• The number of users allowed to access all pool amenities at any one time will be limited to provide adequate space, prevent large gatherings and allow staff enough time to disinfect common touch point surfaces.
• Adult Swim will operate at limited capacity and with controlled traffic flow to maintain physical distancing in the pool.
• Use the identified entry and exit points as indicated by signage and markers. Respect markers guiding traffic into, throughout, and out of the facility to practice physical distancing, sanitizing, and limiting contact with common surfaces.

Pool Change Rooms

• Change room access will be limited. Come showered and dressed to swim and enter/exit the change room as quickly as possible.
• Lockers will not be available until further notice. Bring personal belongings on deck (or leave them at home).
• Washrooms will remain open, but will be restricted to ensure physical distancing.
• Showers remain closed until further notice. Practice good hygiene and shower at home prior to coming to the pool.
• The use of personal, portable appliances in the change room is not permitted (hair dryers, straighteners, shavers).

Diving Boards and Pool Equipment

• No diving boards available (decommissioned per Public Health restrictions)
• No benches on the pool deck (decommissioned for the summer)
• No use of common pool equipment allowed (snorkels, flutter boards, toys).

To support physical distancing and prevent the spread of COVID-19, outdoor swimming lessons are not scheduled to start until August. Please subscribe to the Recreation and Culture e-newsletter for updates or check back often.

Our swim lessons follow the Red Cross Swim Kids program: age-appropriate learning with a focus on safety, comfort, and skills that help you and your child to develop a healthy lifestyle through swimming.

In response to COVID-19 restrictions, we will be offering a modified swim lesson program at select pools in 2021 pending any Provincial, Municipal or Public Health restrictions.

• COVID-19 waivers must be completed for each participant during online registration or on their first day of lessons.
• Come dressed to swim. (Change room access will be limited.)
• Enter/exit and use our facilities according to posted signage unless otherwise directed by staff.
• Class sizes will be limited and physical distancing will be in effect for instructors, staff and all participants.
• Parent/guardians (ages 16+) are required to actively participate in the water for all Parent & Tot, Preschool, and Swim Kids Levels 1 through 4, for physical contact and safety purposes.
• Limited equipment will be used and will be sanitized between each use.
• High touch points will be sanitized between lessons.
• Please exit the facility promptly after your class (do not linger on the deck or in the change rooms after your lesson).

Registration

Pre-registration is required for all swim lessons, but has not opened yet. Subscribe to our Recreation e-newsletter for updates!

Which lesson should I choose?

If you previously completed lessons through the Life Saving Society (YMCA, etc) check their Swim Conversion Chart.

• Learn more about the Red Cross Pre-School Program (ages 4 months to 5 years)
• Learn more about the Red Cross Swim Kids Program (ages 5 to 12 years)

Adult Lane Swim (Ages 18+)

Limited space is available for 30-minutes per person, between 12 and 1 p.m. daily. Reservations are required. Call the pool office by 5 p.m. the day before to book. Please review our Pool Safety & Rules for new and important information about our facilities this year.

1. Mitchelson Park Pool, 3800 Springdale Avenue, 905-358-9850
2. F H. Leslie Pool, 5250 Valley Way, 905-356-6217
3. Niagara Falls Lions Club Pool, 4981 Drummond Road, 905-358-5385

Pre-registration is required for all Aquafit classes and opens later this month. Limited class sizes will be offered in two blocks: July and August. 

Registration

Opens later this month. For updates, subscribe to the Recreation e-newsletter.

Public and Adult Swim are FREE. Keep cool and have tons of fun at one of our five outdoor pools this summer! Swim lessons begin in August.

New rules and changes to our facilities are listed under Pool Safety & Rules. Before you visit, review this important information regarding change rooms, showers, lockers, diving boards, pool toys, and more.

Buck Hinsperger Pool, 3970 Welland St

E.E. Mitchelson Pool, 3800 Springdale Avenue

F H Leslie Pool, 5250 Valley Way

F.H will open for the weekend of June 12 and 13. Adult swim 12 - 1 p.m and Public Swim from 1 p.m - 6 p.m

F.H will re open on Friday June 18  from 3pm - 7pm

Saturday June 19 and Sunday June 20 -  Adult Swim 12 p.m - 1 p.m  and Public Swim from 1 p.m to 6 p.m

Monday, June 21 - Thursday June 24 - 3 p.m - 7 p.m

Regular hours start on Friday, June 25

Lions Pool, 4981 Drummond Road

Lions pool will open on June 18  from 3 p.m - 7 p.m

Saturday June 19 and Sunday June 20 - Adult Swim 12 p.m - 1 p.m  and Public Swim from 1 p.m to 6 p.m

Monday, June 21 - Thursday June 24 - 3 p.m - 7 p.m

Regular hours start on Friday, June 25

Prince Charles Pool - 6320 Arad St

P.C will open on Friday June 18  from 3 p.m - 7 p.m

Saturday June 19 and Sunday June 20 from 12 p.m to 6 p.m

Monday, June 21 - Thursday June 24 - 3 p.m - 7 p.m

Regular hours start on Friday, June 25

Now Open

We operate seven splash pads throughout the city. Splash pads open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Hours may be extended during heat alerts.)

In keeping with COVID-19 gathering limits, please limit your visit to 20 minutes when others are waiting.

Please continue to follow COVID-19 Public Health precautions for everyone's safety:

• stay home if you feel unwell (get tested and self-isolate)
• stay at least 6 feet/2 metres away from anyone you do not live with
• wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• sneeze/cough into your sleeve
• avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• avoid contact with people who are sick

Splash Pad Locations

1. Chippawa Lions Park 3970 Welland St
2. EE Mitchelson Park 3750 Springdale Ave
3. FH Leslie Park 5250 Valley Way
4. MacBain Community Centre 7150 Montrose Road
5. Niagara Falls Lions Park 4981 Drummond Road
6. Patrick Cummings Memorial Complex 8965 Willoughby Drive
   
7. Prince Charles Park 6320 Arad St

Program receipts for tax returns, references, etc.

1. Log in to your MaxGalaxy account
2. Select My Account
3. Select Account History
4. Insert range of dates and Search.

What type of payments are accepted?

Mastercard or VISA. We are only accepting online payment this year.

Why am I getting the message my 'participant does not meet age requirement'?

1. You are trying to register a participant that is too young or too old for a particular program. The age requirement for each program is noted in the description.
2. Make sure you've selected your child's name under Name of Registrant. If it's not listed there, check your MaxGalaxy account set up and add their name(s) to your family, then complete your registration.

Family members were added, but are not showing up on the account

The names were not saved to the list. Once you have entered a new family member, select Continue (at the bottom of the screen) and when the second screen pops up, click Submit (if it doesn't pop-up check your browser settings for pop-up blockers). See the video below for a tutorial.

Program Cancellation

There was low or no registration. You will be notified and receive a full refund for any programs we have canceled.