Swimming

Everyone is welcome to enjoy Richmond Hill's Recreational Swimming opportunities. We also have a variety of swim programs for all ages and lifesaving and leadership programs for teens. You can even book a pool party, check out our birthday party packages.

View a list of pool locations in Richmond Hill.

Rules and guidelines

The Office of the Coroner of Ontario developed Admission Standards for Public Pools to assist Lifeguards in maintaining adequate surveillance over the whereabouts and the activities of bathers while they are within the pool enclosure. The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care strongly supports these recommendations for the purpose of preventing injuries and fatalities.

Please follow these rules when using Richmond Hill's public pools:

• Persons with serious medical conditions should be accompanied by an individual knowledgeable of their condition and responsible for their direct supervision
• Food and beverages are not permitted on any pool deck or in change rooms
• For the comfort of all patrons, children six years old and older are required to use the appropriate gender specific (male/female) change room
• Special needs/universal changerooms are available at all pools
• Coin lockers are available at all aquatic facilities and change may be obtained from the Front Desk
• Richmond Hill is not responsible for lost or stolen articles; we recommend that you lock up your belongings and leave valuables at home
• All swimmers must change from street clothes into a swim suit or clean clothing used for the purpose of swimming only
• For persons wishing to cover up, we suggest a t-shirt and leggings over your swimsuit (clothing should allow the participant to move through the water safely)
• Patrons are welcome to watch from the viewing gallery
• All bathers must shower before entering the pool
• Children who are not toilet-trained must wear tight-legged, plastic pants under or over their swimsuits or a pool-pant diaper
• Disposable diapers are not permitted in the water (plastic pants or Huggies Little Swimmers are available to purchase at the Front Desk)
• With the exception of water wings, personal inflatable objects are not permitted in any pool
• Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)/lifejackets are a much better substitute for water wings and are available at all locations (please ask a Lifeguard for your correct size)
• Children wearing a lifejacket must be within arms' reach of a parent at all times
• Only Richmond Hill staff are permitted to teach registered lessons during Recreational Swim times
• Aquatic staff will educate patrons and enforce these and a number of other rules/guidelines to maintain as safe a swimming environment as possible

Age restrictions

There are age restrictions for all Richmond Hill public pools to ensure the safety of our visitors. Children 10 years of age and older can swim without a parent or guardian but are recommended to always swim with a buddy.

View our swim admission standards.

Restrictions for children five years old and younger:

• Must be accompanied in the water by a parent or adult guardian at least 16 years old
• The parent or guardian is responsible for the child's direct supervision and must be within arms-reach of the child at all times
• Maximum two children per parent or adult guardian

Restrictions for children aged six to nine:

• Must be accompanied in the water by a parent or guardian at least 12 years old
• The parent or guardian is responsible for the child's direct supervision and must be able to give immediate assistance if needed
• Non-swimmers must remain within arms' reach of their parent or guardian
• Maximum four children per parent or guardian
• During wave swims, the accompanying parent or guardian must be at least 16 years old
• During wave swims, it is recommended that parents or guardians are within arms-reach of their children at all times regardless of swimming ability

Pool closures

• Pool fouling may result in pool closures (please encourage children to visit the washroom before entering the pool)
• There are no refunds due to pool closures or unforeseen circumstances beyond our control
• Free passes may be given to those who provide a receipt as proof of admission within 30 minutes after the incident

Tell us what you think

Complete a Program Evaluation Form to let us know what you think about our swimming programs, facilities and services.