Pool Admission Standards

Please note the following admission standards for the Queen's University, Athletics & Recreation Centre pool.

Due to lifeguarding ratios and space restrictions, groups of 10 swimmers or more must book pool space via our booking coordinator at facility.bookings@queensu.ca

Instruction outside of Queen's ARC programming is not permitted within the pool area.

To ensure that children have a safe and enjoyable swimming experience, Queen's Athletics & Recreation has updated our wristband policy. This system allows staff to identify children at greater risk and ensure adequate supervision when in the pool area.

Additionally, children who are unable to pass the swim test and who cannot touch the bottom of the pool and keep their head out of the water will be recommended to wear a lifejacket.

Due to the depth of the Queen's ARC shallow end, all swimmers who are unable to pass the facility swim test and unable to reach the minimum height requirement of 4ft 10 inches will be required to wear a lifejacket in the shallow end.

Each ratio indicates the maximum number of children that one responsible person (aged 16 or older) is able to supervise. The responsible person should be in proper bathing attire, in the water, and actively participating within arm's reach at all times.

High-risk participants must be in a ratio of 1:1. High-risk participants are defined as those who have a condition or illness that may put them at risk in an aquatic environment (i.e. frequent seizures, fainting conditions, etc.) and those who are unable to control behaviour or impulses and require direct supervision.

Additional Admittance Requirements for School Groups, Camps & Rentals:
Admissions policy (swim test and ratios) must be adhered to.
Children who cannot pass the facility swim test must remain in the shallow end of the pool and be directly supervised by their caregiver.
Caregivers not in the water must remain on deck and be visible to the group and aquatic staff to assist with supervision.
Public Swim, School Groups & Rentals:
To pass the swim test, children must be able to comfortably perform a recognizable stroke on their front for a minimum of 25 metres (1 width of the shallow end).
Children may attempt the swim test ONLY ONCE during a scheduled swim time.
Children ages 6-15 who successfully complete the swim test will receive a green bracelet.
Patrons with green bracelets (aged 6-15 and passed the swim test) may swim unaccompanied in the pool, but a guardian must remain on the pool deck at all times
Patrons aged 16 and older may be asked to complete the swim test at the discretion of the lifeguard staff.

Camps:
To pass the swim test, children must be able to comfortably perform a recognizable stroke on their front for a minimum of 50 metres (2-widths of the shallow end).
Children may attempt the swim test ONLY ONCE during a scheduled swim time.
Children aged 5 and under cannot take the swim test and must wear a lifejacket at all times.
Children ages 6-15 who successfully complete the swim test will receive a green bracelet.
Patrons with green bracelets (aged 6-15 and passed the swim test) may swim unaccompanied in the pool, but a guardian must remain on the pool deck at all times
Patrons aged 16 and older may be asked to complete the swim test at the discretion of the lifeguard staff.
The Coroner's Office, with the help of the Lifesaving Society, made a recommendation to the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care that all public pool owners and operators adopt an admission standard. The ministry is now working with local public health units to explore this recommendation. To be proactive and ensure the further safety of young swimmers, Queen's University, Athletics and Recreation have chosen to follow the recommendation regarding admission to the Athletics & Recreation Centre pool.
If you have any questions or comments regarding this policy please contact aquatics@queensu.ca