Forest Grove Aquatic Center Rules

General Rules & Admission Policies City of Forest Grove Aquatic Center

  • No one will be allowed in the swimming area unless the pool is officially open and a lifeguard is on duty. Pool schedules are posted and available upon request. We have the right to alter any schedule when deemed necessary.
  • Patrons are expected to exit the facility, including locker rooms, within 15 minutes of the posted closing time.
  • Admittance into the facility may be refused when the capacity has been reached or when otherwise deemed necessary for the health, welfare, or safety of patrons.
  • Patrons must attend the specific program at the location for which they registered and paid. Patrons will not be admitted to participate in courses without proper registration.
  • Patrons who leave the facility must pay to re-enter. Patrons attending a pool rental who want to continue to swim at public swim must exit the pool and pay admission to attend.
  • Following unscheduled pool closures (due to fecal contamination, inclement weather, mechanical issues, etc.) reentry passes will be issued to patrons providing receipts of paid entry to the pool within the last hour. Please see the cashier for more detailed information. Refunds will not be issued.
  • Admission fees must be paid for all patrons 2 years old and older. Children under 2 years of age are free of charge.
  • F.G.A.C. staff have the authority to enforce all pool rules. Patrons are expected to cooperate in observing facility-specific rules and policies that may not be outlined in this document. Patrons who violate the rules may be asked to leave without a refund.
  • F.G.A.C. is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged individual property within the pool facility or parking lot. Valuables may not be left with pool staff.
  • F.G.A.C. assumes no liability for injuries or damage arising from the results of participation. Due to the strenuous nature of some activities patrons are advised to consult with his/her physician concerning fitness to participate. All activities present certain inherent risks and hazards which the participant assumes.
  • Only F.G.A.C. scheduled activities are permitted. No activity for private gain is allowed at any time. This includes teaching swim lessons, coaching and/or any other activity without expressed approval by management. Please be advised that management will question any activity that may resemble private instruction. For further clarity, some offenses may include (but are not limited to) the following:
    1. Providing detailed instruction to other patrons when you are swimming or working out.
    2. Soliciting or receiving payment from other patrons for activities or services performed at the Aquatic Center.
    3. Swimming or working out with patrons who have apparent differences in skill level, goals and strength while providing instruction.

Behavior Policies

  • Socializing with or distracting pool staff, including lifeguards/instructors is prohibited.
  • Loitering will not be permitted. This includes the lobby, locker rooms, spectator areas, spray park, entryways, parking lot, etc.
  • No person within the pool facility shall behave in such a manner as to jeopardize the safety and health of himself/herself or others. Such behavior includes but is not limited to running, boisterous behavior, rough play, pushing, acrobatics, dunking, wrestling, sitting on shoulders, splashing, use of abusive language, profanity, diving or jumping haphazardly, snapping of towels, and any other improper conduct causing undue disturbances in or around the pool area. Patrons behaving in this manner will be asked to leave the facility without a refund.
  • Spitting, spouting, blowing nose, urinating or defecating in the pool is prohibited. Swimming Attire Policies
  • All pool users must wear appropriate swimming attire for a shared public environment.
  • Anyone not toilet trained or incontinent entering the pool must wear a clean swim diaper which fits snugly around the legs and waist and under the swimsuit. Standard diapers are not permitted.
  • Caregivers should check swim diapers often. If the swim diaper becomes soiled, the person must leave the pool immediately and may not return until he/she has taken or been given a soapy shower and has put on a clean swim diaper.
  • Diaper changing is not permitted poolside. Please use the locker rooms and family changing rooms for this purpose.

Age & Supervision Policies

  • Children under the age of 10 years old must be accompanied, supervised and within arms reach in the pool by a responsible paying adult 18 years or older.
  • Non-swimmers must remain in shallow water (chest deep or less) unless held by a responsible adult in a depth where they can stand comfortably.
  • Children 5 years of age and older must use locker rooms that are specific to their gender and be accompanied by a responsible adult. Family changing rooms are available.
  • The adult-to-child supervision ratio is to be a minimum of 1:2 for children 5 years and younger and 1:5 for all other ages. Children must be supervised throughout the facility including locker rooms, spray park, deck, spectator areas and lobby.
  • A swim test is required to swim in deep water and to use deep water features such as diving board and large slide for patrons under the age of 18 years
  • A swim test will be conducted in a minimum of 5 ft. of water.
  • Patrons may not wear any U.S. Coast Guard approved or other types of flotation devices during the swim test.
  • Patrons who do not pass the swim test will be considered non-swimmers and will not be allowed to use deep water features. Non-swimmers under 10 years old must be directly supervised by a responsible adult 18 years or older. City of Forest Grove Aquatic Center 2300 Sunset Drive Forest Grove Oregon 97115 503-992-3238
  • The American Red Cross swim test consists of the following skills:
    • Step or jump into the water going completely under
    • Return to the surface and float or tread water for one minute with head remaining above the water.
    • Turn around in a full circle and swim 25 yds. (on front/crawl or breaststroke without stopping to the exit)
    • Exit the water by pulling themselves up and over the side of the pool without using steps or ladder.

Facility Rules

  • Any injury occurring in our facility must be reported to pool staff immediately.
  • Competitive and/or repetitive breath holding and prolonged underwater swimming for distance is not permitted.
  • All patrons must take a cleansing shower before entering the deck area and swimming pool. Patrons using the sauna must shower prior to using the pool or hot tub.
  • For your safety, any bodily excretions are treated following the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines. When there is vomit or feces in the pool staff will close the pool, clean the excretion and treat the pool with any necessary chemicals.
  • Patrons having or suspected of having any of the following shall not be allowed to enter the pool:
    • exposed sub-epidermal tissue
    • cuts, open sores or blisters
    • open or bandaged wound
    • known contagious or communicable disease
    • recent diarrhea
    • fever, cough, cold, inflammation of the eyes, nasal/ear discharge
    • rashes, poison oak, poison ivy, chicken pox or measles
  • Gum chewing is not allowed in the pools.
  • Wearing eyeglasses in the pool is discouraged unless necessary. Non-breakable lenses and frames are recommended.
  • Pets are not allowed at the Aquatic Center. Service animals are permitted.
  • Food/drinks may only be consumed in designated spectator and lobby areas. Food/drinks are not permitted on the pool decks. Glass items, water bottles and containers are not allowed. All trash needs to be deposited in designated receptacles.
  • All coolers are subject to inspection by aquatic staff. Grills can be used outdoors during private rentals. Alcoholic beverages, drugs and knives are not permitted
  • Consumption of alcohol, smoking/vaping/tobacco products is prohibited. Any patrons suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be permitted to enter the facility.
  • Use of sound producing devices are prohibited unless accompanied by earbuds, headphones or similar accessories.
  • Patrons using the facility are not allowed at the front desk or in the guard office, mechanical rooms, storage rooms or office spaces.
  • Patrons are not permitted to leave the facility while their belongings are in a locker. Lockers will be opened when the facility closes and locker contents will be placed in Lost & Found. Lost & Found items are disposed of on a biweekly basis.
  • For the safety of our patrons, the use of cameras, video cameras, cell phones or any device containing camera equipment of any kind is prohibited in all locker rooms, restrooms, changing rooms and the lobby.Lifejackets/Equipment/Toys
  • A properly fitting U.S. Coast Guard approved lifejacket (PFD) may be worn provided each non-swimmer is accompanied by an adult in the pool within arm’s reach. The adult must remain in the water. Patrons wearing lifejackets are not permitted in deep water or deep water features such as diving board and large slide.
  • Non U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices, inflatable toys, kickboards, rafts, water wings, innertubes and swimsuits with built-in flotation materials are not permitted.
  • Mermaid tails, monofins or any device that prohibits the independent motion of the feet or legs is prohibited.
  • The use of masks with snorkels is permitted in the lap lanes for adults 18 years or older. Patrons under the age of 18 years without the appropriate snorkel are not permitted to wear masks covering the nose.
  • Specialized equipment such as kickboards, fins or paddles are only permitted in lap lanes. Exercise equipment suchas belts and bells are for fitness activities only.
  • Small diving toys will be permitted. Hard toys and balls designed for long distance throwing are not allowed.

Lap Swimming Rules

  • Patrons under 10 years who demonstrate the ability to swim in the lap lanes and pass the swim test will be given permission to participate. They must be supervised poolside by an adult.
  • Lap lane space is limited and will require patrons to share lanes by circle swimming. Patrons not actively swimming laps must relocate to other areas of the pool.
  • Several people of similar speeds can effectively share lanes by “circle swimming”. This involves swimming counterclockwise near the lane lines and passing in the middle when sharing. Please consult with the lifeguards if assistance is needed.
  • Lane lines are not weight bearing. Please refrain from using them as support.
  • Please stop only at the turning walls. Move to the side to allow others to turn and continue.
  • The use of competitive diving/starting blocks is prohibited except during programs when participating swimmers are directly supervised by swim coaches or instructional staff:
    • City of Forest Grove Aquatic Center
      2300 Sunset Drive Forest Grove
      Oregon 97115
      Phone: 503-992-3238

Spa / Hot Tub Rules

  • Patrons that are 16 years and older may use the spa/hot tub.
  • Patrons should limit use to 15 minutes to avoid nausea, dizziness and fainting. Patrons should enter and exit the spa/hot tub slowly.
  • Patrons should not sit or stand on or near spa/hot tub drain and should not reach in spa/hot tub skimmers.
  • For safety and to prevent over-heating, swim caps are not recommended to be worn in the spa/hot tub.
  • Pregnant women and people with heart disease, diabetes, high or low blood pressure or on prescription medications should consult with their physician prior to use.
  • Patrons should not use the spa/hot tub while under the influence of alcohol or non-prescription drugs.

Slide & Diving Board Rules

  • A swim test is required for patrons under the age of 18 years to use the diving board and large slide.
  • Children under 8 years old may use the small slide (shallow end of main pool).
  • Children may not ride with or on the lap of another child, parent or adult.
  • Goggles, masks, eyeglasses, contact lenses, prosthetic devices, jewelry and flotation devices (including U.S. CoastGuard approved) are not allowed on diving board/slides.
  • Swimwear with exposed zippers, buckles or rivets are not permitted due to potential slide damage.
  • Only one person is allowed on the slides or diving board at a time. Patrons waiting in line must remain at the bottom of the ladder and may not proceed until current slider/diving board user has returned to the wall.
  • Slides are to be used in a feet-first seated position only.
  • Prohibited activities include stopping in the slide, launching with force or creating “chains” with multiple riders.
  • For patron safety, diving board users are restricted to “one bounce” only. Forward jumps, dives and flips are permitted. Backward inverted dives are not allowed.