We value the safety and security of visitors and staff.
Please respect people and property at City-operated facilities, and report any contraventions or suspicious activity.
Main page content begins here
Please respect people and property at City-operated facilities, and report any contraventions or suspicious activity.
What are the minimum age requirements for swimming alone? Using the fitness centre? Skating? Taking a fitness class?
Breastfeeding is acceptable in all City of Edmonton recreation facilities. Women may breastfeed where they feel most comfortable. If a woman wishes to breastfeed in private, staff will assist her in finding space.
To protect the privacy and property of customers and visitors, we have guidelines for the use of cameras, camera-equipped cell phones and PDAs, as well as other recording devices in City of Edmonton facilities.
Individuals who do not comply with these guidelines or are using these devices in a suspicious manner will be asked to leave and/or be banned from the facility or be charged by the Edmonton Police Service under the Canadian Criminal Code.
These guidelines apply at all City of Edmonton recreation facilities. Some facilities may have more specific rules for their amenities.
Staff reserve the right, at their sole discretion to assess and evaluate adherence to guidelines.
Staff reserve the right, at their sole discretion to assess and evaluate adherance to guidelines.
Thank you for your cooperation. Enjoy!
Health and safety measures when attending drop-in indoor group fitness classes.
Thank you for your cooperation. Enjoy!
The City of Edmonton is committed to doing everything we can to keep you and your loved ones safe while you enjoy City pools.
Remember learning to swim is the best way to stay safe. The City offers swimming lessons and programs for all ages. For more information, visit Swimming and Aquatics or call 311.
Please remember important safety rules like keeping children under 8 Within Arms Reach at all times.
Pool rules help keep everyone safe. The following guidelines apply at all City of Edmonton pools, and each pool might have additional rules. Please read all signs before swimming.
These guidelines apply at all City of Edmonton recreation facilities. Some facilities may have more specific rules for their amenities.
You'll need to pay at the front desk and if you have questions ask the cashier or request an orientation to the facility.
Let the lifeguards know if you have medical problems such as a heart condition, epilepsy or diabetes.
Stay out of the pool area if you are ill with a cold, flu, stomach virus, bacterial infection or have a severe skin condition. Illness spreads quickly in swimming pools.
Individuals exhibiting signs of impairment from alcohol, drugs or other substances will not be allowed into the facility and consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs are not permitted in the facility.
In partnership with the Lifesaving Society, and in compliance with Alberta Health Services, when bathing in a public pool, swimwear must be suitable for general participation in bathing and must not impair swimming skills. Swimwear may be made of different types of fabric as long as it does not put a user’s health at risk or interfere with pool water quality.
In the case of patrons who, for personal reasons, cannot expose a part of their body, a modified version of traditional swimwear must be permissible as an alternative. For example, acceptable alternative swimwear could include footless tights, gymnastic leggings, tight-fitting undershirt, a tight-fitting hood that covers the head and neck with wide openings for the face, tight-fitting sweater or pants, or a wetsuit.
Burkinis and rash guards are examples of acceptable alternative swimwear as face and neck are uncovered and fabric is tight-fitting enough to not interfere with swimming skills. Hands and feet can move freely and there is an additional element of hygiene if hair is covered.
All swim apparel must be clean and brought to the facility for the purpose of swimming.
Prior to entering the pool, all patrons are required to take a cleansing shower in their swim apparel.
All patrons are required to wear bathing suit bottoms, tops are a patron's choice. This swim attire guideline ensures that City of Edmonton pools are aligned with the Alberta Human Rights Act which does not allow for discrimination based on gender, gender identity or gender expression.
As you enter the change room areas, please take off your shoes and pack away any food or drink you may have with you. Please use the washroom and shower before entering the pool area.
Please leave all valuables at home and lock your belongings up. Lockers are 50 cents (quarters only) or you may bring your own lock. Complimentary wallet/purse lockers are available for small items (for example, keys and cell phone).
Please bring your shampoo/cream rinse in plastic containers only.
Make sure your young children who are not toilet trained are wearing waterproof diapers. These diapers are available from the cashier and should be changed, in the washroom, often.
Children 8 or older must use the change room appropriate to their gender or the family change room.
Periodically, lifeguards will hold Pool Clear safety drills to help them prepare for real emergencies.
State-of-the-art water filtration systems, chemical and bacteriological water testing, and regular and thorough cleaning of all pool areas, maintain the high standards of water quality we expect.
Your actions are also key to keeping the water clean, safe and healthy.
When you swim, you share the water with everyone else in the pool. Everyone has a responsibility to follow the swimming pool guidelines and keep the water clean and safe.
Here are a few ways that you can keep dirt and harmful bacteria out of public areas, and enjoy a safe and healthy swim:
Aquatic Safety Cards are available in the following languages:
Arabic
French
Portuguese
Chinese (Simplified)
German
Punjabi
Chinese (Traditional)
Hindi
Somali
English
Italian
Spanish
Filipino
Polish
Vietnamese
The Importance of Learning to Swim for New Canadians
Caregiver Supervision Workbook
For parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, day care supervisors, aides, camp leaders, and so on.
Your First 10 Minutes at the Pool
Lifeguards are responsible for closely supervising swimmers, preventing risky situations and responding quickly to injuries, emergencies or those in need of assistance.
They also enforce facility guidelines, provide water safety information and monitor water quality.
Please obey the lifeguards at all times as they are responsible for the safety of all patrons.
Our lifeguards are among the best trained in the country. By following established lifesaving procedures, these dedicated professionals ensure every pool user has a safe and enjoyable experience.
City of Edmonton lifeguard qualifications are above and beyond provincial standards for lifeguards. Requirements include:
These awards must be recertified regularly as required by the governing body.
Lifeguards undergo extensive, ongoing training in the areas of facility operations, site specific safety, emergency procedures and rescue scenarios. Regular in-service training includes:
Lifeguards are also equipped with the latest in lifesaving equipment such as Automated External Defibrillators (AED), radios and first aid supplies.
City of Edmonton lifeguards work and train closely with Fire Rescue Services to ensure they are ready to act at the moment an emergency strikes.
A lifeguard's first priority is the safety of swimmers.
Since each guard can be responsible for up to swimmers at one time, lifeguards will position themselves in certain locations to have a clear view of the pool area, and will check the whirlpool, sauna and other amenities frequently.
To keep alert, a lifeguard will regularly switch deck locations with another guard, or switch to off-deck duties for a little while.
Please don't distract the lifeguards from their important duties. Limit your conversations to pool business and safety issues.
If you need assistance or first aid, please ask. Lifeguards are there to help.
Lifeguards are trained and equipped to deal with emergency situations and will react quickly. They will attend to patrons in need of assistance while keeping others safe.
Lifeguards may ask you to help by keeping people away from the scene, making phone calls, relaying messages to other staff, or retrieving emergency equipment.
If the situation is serious enough, police officers, ambulance attendants, firefighters or other emergency responders may be dispatched to the scene. Again, please cooperate fully.
The swimming pool may be closed temporarily due to the emergency. The staff at the cash counter will be able to tell you when the pool will reopen, and may offer compensation for the cancelled swim.