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Recreation Facility Rules and Guidelines

General rules for indoor facilities

  • Loyalist Township shall assume no responsibility for any property placed on or in its facilities and/or grounds and is released from any and all liability for loss, injury or damage to persons or property that may be sustained by the use or occupancy of the facility.

  • Children under ten (10) years must be supervised by a guardian over sixteen (16) years of age.

  • No person shall use profanity, threaten or intimidate another person in a physical or verbal manner.

  • Fighting is strictly prohibited.

  • Smoking is not permitted.  This includes tobacco, marijuana, and smokeless tobacco.

  • No illegal drugs may be brought into the facility.

  • Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the facility without prior approval from management and accompanied by a Special Occasion Permit.

  • No person under the influence of illegal drugs will be allowed in the premises.

  • Chewing gum is prohibited in facility.

  • No glass containers are allowed in the facility without prior approval.

  • No person shall engage in conduct infringing upon the rights of other participants.

  • Food and drinks are permitted in designated areas only.  No food or drinks except water will be allowed in the swimming pool area, arena (except stands), changing rooms, and multi-purpose rooms without prior approval from management.

  • Appropriate attire should be worn at all times.

  • Athletic cleats are prohibited in the facility.

  • All stick play is reserved for the ice surface and is not permitted anywhere else in the facility.

  • Skateboards, bicycles, rollerblades, shoes with rollers ("Heelys"), scooters, or similar devices are not permitted in the facility.

  • Only service animals will be permitted into the building.  All other pets/animals are not allowed.

  • Each area has individual rules and guidelines for your safety and enjoyment.  Please follow these rules and guidelines.

W.J. Henderson Community Centre

Aquatic Centre / Pool, arena and changing rooms

  • Swimmers must always obey lifeguards.

  • Swimmers may need to complete the Swim Test.

  • Non-swimmers and swimmers who cannot pass the swim test must remain in the shallow end.

  • Absolutely no horseplay.

  • Individuals wearing flotation devices must remain in the shallow end.

  • Swimmers are not allowed to use the starting blocks or lifeguard chairs.

  • No flips or cartwheels into the water from the pool deck.

  • Swimmers must keep all "logs" and "animal mats" away from the sides of the pool.

  • Do not sit on the lane ropes or use them for support.

  • Flutter boards are not allowed during public swims, except in lane swimming.

  • No diving in the shallow end.

  • No running on the deck.

  • Please do not wear out-door footwear on deck.

  • Swimmers must wear proper swim attire.

  • Participants must meet admission standards.

Supervisory standards in accordance with recommendations from Public Health, the Red Cross, and Lifesaving Society are in place to ensure the safety of all swimmers.

Swimmers may need to complete a swim test administered by on duty Aquatic Staff. If the individual does not pass the swim test, they must remain in the shallow end of the pool (the Tarzan rope and large slide are off-limits).

  • Children under six (6) years must have a parent/ guardian IN THE POOL directly supervising the child (within arms reach).

  • Children under ten (10) years must always have a parent/ guardian with them in the pool facility. The guardian must be at least twelve (12) years of age.

  • Children between the ages of six (6) and nine (9) years who do not pass the swim test, must have a parent/ guardian IN THE POOL directly supervising the child (within arms reach).

  • The supervision ratio is one (1) parent/guardian for four (4) swimmers for children over the age of six (6). For groups, a ratio of one (1) parent/guardian for eight (8) swimmers is permitted if they are all in lifejackets.

  • For children under the age of six (6), the supervision ratio is one (1) parent/guardian for two (2) swimmers. For groups, a ratio of one (1) parent/guardian for eight (8) swimmers is permitted if they are all in lifejackets. 

Swimmers must be able to demonstrate comfort in the water and swim twenty (20) metres in the shallow water without assistance or a lifejacket. Participant must complete the entire distance, swim continuously without stopping to rest, show strong forward movement, and do so with ease. On-duty Aquatic Staff will administer the Swim Test.

  • The use of CSA approved helmets are strongly recommended

  • Children under ten (10) years must be supervised by a guardian over sixteen (16) years of age

  • All participants are required to wear skates on the ice – no other footwear is permitted

  • No food or drink permitted on the ice

  • Skate in the same direction as the other skaters (no weaving in & out of other skaters)

  • All skaters are to conduct themselves appropriately at all times

  • No horseplay/games/tag, etc.

  • No unruly behaviour or profanity

  • No skating backwards

  • No figure skating maneuvers

  • No erratic/excessive speed skating

  • No balls, pucks, chairs, pylons, strollers, Toboggans, hockey sticks, or any other item that might interfere with the safety of another skater are to be used while skating

  • No headsets, cell phones or hand-held electronic devices are to be used while skating

  • No carrying of children is permitted

  • No sitting or climbing over boards

  • Report all accidents/injuries to skate patrol staff

  • Please respect, listen to, and follow instructions from the skate patrol staff at all times

  • Time allocated for Ice Skating sessions may be reduced in order to accommodate ice maintenance.

  • Staff are responsible for safe skating conditions and will make the final decision, relative to safety considerations.

  • Loyalist Township is not responsible for lost or stolen articles.

  • Place all belongings in a locker and secure with a personal lock (pool).  Lock changing room doors when no one is present in the room (arena).

  • Personal locks must be removed daily or they will be cut off.

  • Please be courteous - limit time to ten (10) minutes or less.

  • The use of cellphones, photographic or recording devices is prohibited.

Leisure and Activity Centre Rules

  • Water, power drinks and power snacks are permitted in the exercise area to ensure participant energy levels are maintained. All beverages must be in plastic containers. Glass bottles are not permitted in the exercise areas. Wipe up any spills immediately or notify facility staff.

  • Wipe down steps, weights, cardio equipment, and mats after using them. Cleaning wipes are provided for your use.

  • Advise Loyalist Township staff immediately if equipment is not in proper working condition.

  • Youth under the age of fourteen (14) are not permitted in fitness classes at the Leisure & Activity Centre.

  • Loyalist Township is not responsible for lost or stolen articles.

  • Place all belongings in a locker and secure with a personal lock (pool).  Lock changing room doors when no one is present in the room (arena).

  • Personal locks must be removed daily or they will be cut off.

  • Please be courteous - limit time to ten (10) minutes or less.

  • The use of cellphones, photographic or recording devices is prohibited.

General rules for outdoor facilities

    • A Facility Rental Agreement is required for the use of Township sports fields, courts, and parks for any organized sport or activity.

    • Loyalist Township shall assume no responsibility for any property placed on or in it's facilities and/or grounds and is released from any and all liability for loss, injury or damage to persons or property that may be sustained by the use or occupancy of the facility.

    • Children under ten (10) years must be supervised by a guardian over sixteen (16) years of age.

    • No person shall use profanity, threaten or intimidate another person in a physical or verbal manner.

    • Fighting is strictly prohibited.

    • Smoking is not permitted.  This includes tobacco, marijuana, and smokeless tobacco.

    • No illegal drugs may be brought into the facility.

    • Alcoholic beverages are not allowed in the facility without prior approval from management and accompanied by a Special Occasion Permit.

    • No glass containers are allowed in the facility without prior approval.

    • No person shall engage in conduct infringing upon the rights of other participants.

    • Appropriate attire should be worn at all times.

    • No pets (on or off leash) on the fields.

    • No unauthorized vehicles permitted in outdoor facilities except on designated roadways and parking areas.

    • No littering.

    • Sports fields may be closed for periodic maintenance or due to weather.

    • No golfing.

    • No climbing on goal nets or backstops.

  • Court is limited to one hour per group (if others are waiting), this includes practice and warm-up time.

  • Courts are shared and not specific to one sport.

  • All players must comply with the scheduled lease times and scheduled casual play times.

  • Rollerblading, skateboarding, scootering, ball hockey, and cycling are note permitted on the courts.

  • Dogs and other pets, either leashed or unleashed, are not allowed on the courts at any time.

  • Garbage is to be placed in the garbage bins before leaving the courts.

  • Please wear non-marking shoes.

  • Courts are available for use on a first come first serve basis outside of lease hours.

  • Only low flight balls and Amateur Softball Association (ASA) approved bats are to be used at the Willie Pratt Sports Field by all adult lob ball players.

  • Any ball hit outside the home run flags, located in centre field on A and B diamonds, will be declared an automatic single base.  Any ball hit into a backyard, fair or foul, will be an automatic out.  No exceptions.

  • Violation of this policy may result in the loss of diamond time for the adult leagues and tournaments involved in the infraction.

Contact Us

Loyalist Township
Box 70, 263 Main Street
Odessa, Ontario K0H 2H0
Tel: 613-386-7351
info@loyalist.ca

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