Admission Policies

Admission Policy for Recreational Swims

Wilmot Aquatic Centre (WAC) staff members are experts trained in aquatic emergencies. They are required to supervise all patrons in the pool and cannot act in a child care capacity. Parental supervision of all children under 10 years of age is strongly recommended during all pool visits.

Children aged 7 and under and children 8 to 10 years who are weak or non- swimmers

Must be accompanied by a responsible parent or guardian 13 years of age or older who is responsible for their direct supervision. A maximum of 2 children for each parent or guardian.

Children wearing personal flotation devices (water wings, lifejackets etc.) must be supervised at all times.

Children aged 8 to 10 years of age who are strong swimmers

UPDATED SWIM TEST CRITERIA  

In order to meet common industry standards and best practices, the Wilmot Aquatic Centre will be updating the Admission swim test used for swimmers who are 8 – 10 years of age who would like to swim unaccompanied by a guardian.

ORANGE swim test cards holders will be required to demonstrate their ability to complete the swim at the updated standard and will then be issued a replacement card.

The new test criteria will consist of:

• Swim 20m on front with the ability to put their face in the water at least once,
• Tread water for 15 seconds and
• Swim 20m once more on their front or back.

In order to pass the swim test, each participant must be able to complete the following items comfortably without stopping or putting their feet on the bottom.

Swimmers with orange cards should practice to see if they can make it.

Parents/Guardians must remain in the facility until the swim test is completed successfully. If the child is unable to complete the swim test, the Parent/Guardian will be required to participate with the child.

“Direct supervision” is defined as being in the water and able to render immediate assistance.

Persons who have known seizure disorders or other serious medical disorders are at greater risk while swimming. Those individuals should be accompanied and supervised by another individual knowledgeable on their condition.

Wrist Band Policy

In conjunction with our Admission Policy, we will be issuing wrist bands to young swimmers.

Children 7 years of age or younger will be given a RED ribbon for their wrist. These children must be accompanied in the water at all times by a parent or guardian 13 years of age or older, who must remain within arm's reach at all times.

Children 8 to 10 years of age will be given a YELLOW ribbon for their wrist if they wish to perform a swim test to see if they can swim unaccompanied. Parents or the guardian must be in the facility until the child has performed the swim test to ensure the child is able to swim alone.

If the child passes the swim test, they can have their wrist band removed and will be written in the swim test book for future reference.

If they do not pass the swim test, they will be issued a RED ribbon for their wrist and will be required to swim within arm's reach of a parent or guardian 13 years of age or older who is in the pool.

PAL Card

With a PAL card, people with disabilities can bring a helper, often a friend or family member, to help them take part in Township of Wilmot run programs. In most cases, there is no extra cost as the helper is there to make sure you can participate and enjoy the activity and not there to participate themselves.

We accept the PAL card for Township of Wilmot run programs, including:

• public swims
• public skates at arenas

To use your PAL card, present the card when paying your program fees.

You cannot use the PAL card for ticketed events at our facilities run by third party organizations, businesses, or promoters.

The PAL card may be used with the Cities of Cambridge, Guelph, Kitchener, and Waterloo and the Township of Woolwich programs. Please verify with these organizations regarding what programs apply.

 Complete and submit an Pal Card Application Form to the Aquatics Manager.

Eligibility:

• Anyone who is older than four years old and has a disability that restricts them from performing activities, which has lasted longer than six months and cannot be eliminated by the use of a technical aide, such as eyeglasses, is eligible for a PAL card.
• Temporary PAL cards are available for those with temporary disabilities.
• Attendants must be 15 years of age or older. Different attendants can help the program participant on different days.
• If an attendant would be taking part in an activity with a PAL cardholder, regardless of his or her disability, the attendant would be expected to pay the program fee. For example, if a child, who has a PAL card, does not meet our age requirement to swim alone during a recreational swim at the pool, an adult would have to supervise the child and pay the swim fee.