Aquatics Program Policies and Rules

Overview

The City of Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Department intends to provide a comprehensive aquatics program within the geographic and economic reach of all sectors of the city. A primary objective is to provide a healthy, safe, and aesthetic swimming environment, both indoors and outdoors.

Policy Statements

1. Compliance with Written or Oral Rules—It shall be a violation for any patron to not comply with any written or oral rules, regulations, or requirements imposed by Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation aquatic facility personnel. Personal conduct in and around the aquatic facilities must be such that the safety of self and others is not jeopardized. Any such violation may result in immediate removal from the aquatic facility. Any individual who refuses to leave when requested to do so or violates any written or oral rules, regulations, or requirements of the Sioux Falls City aquatic facilities may be charged with violating Sioux Falls City Ordinance Section 131.001 or 131.002.
2. Restricting Admittance to Aquatic Facilities—Given the fact that health, safety, and welfare are concerns in the regulation of access to Sioux Falls City aquatic facilities, Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation personnel reserve the right to exclude or deny admission to any patron or potential patron for documented health or safety reasons. Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation personnel shall not, however, deny admission to any person or persons on the basis of race, gender, religion, or disability. All guests are required to pay the daily admission fee, regardless of intention to use the pools or other attractions. Re-entry is permitted with proof of valid daily admission on the same day of visit only.
3. Aquatic Facility Load Limits—Sioux Falls City aquatic facilities shall be limited in their capacity according to the following formula: one person for every 25 square feet of water less than 5 feet in depth, plus one person per 300 square feet of water deeper than 5 feet, plus one person per 50 square feet of deck space. In calculating the square footage of deck space, the zone equal to the first 8 feet of deck around the water’s edge is deleted from gross deck square footage. The deck, considered as concession space, is also deducted from the gross square footage of the deck.
4. Changing Areas and Restrooms—The facility has designated Women’s and Men’s changing areas and restrooms, which are available for patron use. In addition, universal changing areas with restrooms are also available with the same or similar features and provide enhanced privacy for patrons. Use of recording devices (cameras, video cameras, and cell phones) is strictly prohibited in locker room areas and restrooms.
5. Breastfeeding is allowed at the mother’s discretion anywhere in the park or pool facility where the mother and child are authorized to be, including in the pool and pool deck area. So long as the user is in compliance with all state and municipal laws, a breastfeeding mother will not be asked by staff to relocate while breastfeeding for any reason except safety.

Admission to Aquatic Facilities

• Admission to the aquatic facilities will be refused to all persons having contagious diseases or other infectious conditions, such as colds, ringworm, fevers, foot infections, skin lesions, inflamed eyes, ear discharge, or any other condition that has the appearance of being infectious.
• Children six years of age and under must be accompanied by an adult and supervised at all times by an adult or student 16 years of age or older. The ratio of children six years and under may not exceed five children per adult. Children left unsupervised will be dismissed, along with the person responsible for their supervision. This supervision rule applies at all wading pools, aquatic centers, and traditional aquatic facilities.
• Adults should actively watch children at all times while they are in the facility. For infants and toddlers, an adult should be in the water and within arm’s reach, providing “touch supervision.”
• The department and/or aquatic facility manager reserves the right to dismiss, suspend, or prohibit from the facility and/or related facilities any person endangering the health, safety, or pleasure of the facility patrons.
• No person shall be allowed to enter the aquatic facility while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
• Wading Pools: Children 6 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult 16 years of age or older to swim at any of the 3 wading pools. Ratio of children 15 years or under cannot exceed 5 per adult.
• Service animals are allowed on the pool deck and areas where the public is allowed to go (other than the water).

General Information

• Hours for aquatic facilities can be found on our website under Activities & Recreation
• All wading pools will close from 4:50 p.m. to 6 p.m. The closing break will be called at 10 minutes before the hour.
• Admission fees are required for swimmers and spectators at all of our aquatic facilities except for McKennan Wading Pool and Hayward, Pioneer, and Jacobson Plaza Spray Parks.
• No refunds on daily admission, season passes, or swimming lessons after lessons begin. Patrons leaving the aquatic facility may have their hand stamped to allow for reentry on that calendar day.
• Swim passes for youth (2 to 17 years old) and adults (18 years and older) are key fobs that need to be scanned by the cashier to gain entrance into the aquatic facility area. A photo must be on file before admission.
• Key fobs are not transferable. Misused key fobs will be revoked by aquatic facility staff. Lost or stolen key fobs can be replaced for $3 at any aquatic facility except for McKennan Wading Pool and the Hayward, Jacobson Plaza, and Pioneer Spray Parks.
• Season pass holders must display their key fob to the aquatic facility cashier as they enter the aquatic facility. If no key fob is present, the pass holder will be required to purchase a replacement fob or pay the daily fee in order to gain admission.
• Season pass holders - Save your key fob each year. Key fob reactivates upon renewal. Key fob replacement is $3 each at the Midco® Aquatic Center or at any aquatic facility when open.
• Children ages 7 and older are not allowed in the opposite sex locker room. If needed, a same-sex employee can accommodate the child.
• There is a 10-minute rest period each hour at the outdoor pools. During this period, all patrons must exit the water area.
• If the air temperature is below 70 degrees, the outdoor aquatic facility may close upon announcement.
• Outdoor aquatic facility lockers are available for 25¢. No refunds for lost money. Lockers are available for use at Midco® Aquatic Center. Patrons must provide their own locks or purchase one for $7 at the front desk. Items cannot be stored overnight in lockers.

Aquatic Facility Rules

Bather Attire

• Bather Attire—Swimmers must be attired in purpose-made swimsuits, which must include linings and have adequate coverage.
• Swimwear must be made using a synthetic material approved for submersion (Polyester, Nylon, or Spandex).
• Swimwear must not include exposed metal zippers, rivets, or fasteners.
• No undergarments may be worn as they are not permitted for health reasons.
• Compression shorts are allowed underneath an approved swimsuit.
• Swimwear with integrated flotation is not permitted.
• Excessively loose swimwear that poses an entrapment risk will not be permitted.
• Infants/children not toilet trained, and incontinent adults must wear a swim diaper underneath an approved swimsuit.
• Purpose-made, closed-toe water shoes must be clean, securely fastened, and non-marking. Shoes may not be worn on slides or attractions.
• T-shirts may be worn over swimsuits, but must not be excessively loose.
• Street clothes are acceptable for patrons who are wading or spectating but may not get wet.
• The city is not responsible for damage to swimwear caused by facility or equipment use.
• The city has discretion to approve/deny any attire that could compromise safety, sanitization, or modesty.

Patron Behavior

1. Personal items allowed in aquatic facility area:

• Strollers, infant seats, coolers at outdoor pools (after inspection), and other personal items may be brought in but must be kept from the water’s edge and from emergency corridor areas.
• Swim goggles, cameras or video cameras, radios/iPods, and handheld umbrellas are allowed.
• Small bathtub toys are allowed but may not be thrown.
• SFPR is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Guests are encouraged to use on-site lockers to store personal items.
• Items cannot be stored overnight in lockers.

2. Personal items not allowed:

• No outside food or beverage is allowed in the Midco® Aquatic Center.
• Inflatables of any kind (water wings, puddle jumpers, air mattresses, etc.).
• Life jackets (except for persons with disabilities requiring such protection), fins, and snorkels. Doctor's Note required.
• Lawn chairs.
• Gum, tobacco, alcohol, and glass containers of any kind.

3. Supervision and general behavior:

• Children six years of age and under must be supervised by an adult or a student 16 years of age or older in the aquatic facility and sand areas. There must be one adult for every five children six years of age or under. For large groups and day cares, a 1:10 ratio of children over the age of 6 per teacher is required.
• Misconduct of individuals brought in by an organized group will lead to the dismissal of the entire group from the aquatic facility.
• All aquatic facilities are drug and tobacco-free facilities. All aquatic facilities are family-friendly. Inappropriate behavior, language, or attire is not permitted and will be grounds for refusing admission or removal from the facility without a refund.
• Roughness, running, pushing others, dunking, splashing, snapping of towels, hanging on the separation/lane ropes, and any other roughhousing actions are not permitted.
• Spitting or blowing of the nose in the aquatic facility is not permitted.
• Protect our water. If you have had diarrhea in the past two weeks, please do not use the aquatic facilities.
• Lifeguards may ask swimmers to stay where they can touch.
• No running, horseplay, or unruly behavior.
• Obey pool deck markings.

4. Expected behavior on body and tube slides:

• Children going down wading pool slides or slides in a zero-depth area may be assisted by a parent or guardian, but may not ride on the lap of any other person.
• Children will slide feet first, on their backside, one at a time, and must not climb up the slides. NO TRAINS.
• All patrons using the large water slides at any Aquatic Center must be 48 inches tall. Patrons will wait for the guard to signal and then proceed down the slide, feet first, seated on their bottom, hands inside the rail, and facing forward.
• The lifeguard will instruct patrons when to slide. Ride feet first, seated on the back or bottom only. Do not stop, twist, or swing your body.
• Patrons wearing glasses or sunglasses are asked to hold them while going down the slide.
• Parents/guardians may not catch children in the splashdown area.
• Goggles or glasses cannot be worn on or around the face while going down the slide.
• Patrons are asked not to sit, swim, or loiter along the edge of the splashdown area.
• One person at a time on tubes. The rider is to remain on the tube the entire ride. No stopping, twisting, or turning while riding on the tube. Return the tube to the designated area.

5. Expected behavior when diving:

• Diving is permitted only in designated areas and aquatic facilities, not including Terrace Park.
• Back dives, back jumps, flips, or cartwheels from the side of the aquatic facility are not permitted.
• Only one person is permitted on the diving board and the ladder at a time.
• All dives must be forward in nature with hands above head off the front end of the board. One bounce per dive.
• Divers must swim directly to the nearest ladder without stopping and leave the diving area.
• Children may be asked by a lifeguard to take a swim test before using any high diving boards.
• Goggles or glasses cannot be worn on or around the face while using the diving boards.
• Only divers are allowed in the diving area.

Emergency Information

• Individual aquatic facility telephone numbers are not released to the public. Please call the Midco® Aquatic Center at 605-367-7665 during business hours. After hours, please call 911 in case of an emergency. Every effort will be made by the aquatic facility staff to convey emergency messages. The PA system is used for aquatic facility emergencies and announcements only; no paging may be done. People may enter the aquatic facility area to look for their children, but must leave keys or an ID and must exit the area within 15 minutes.
• If the air temperature is below 70 degrees, the outdoor aquatic facility may close upon announcement.
• If a tornado or “destructive severe thunderstorm” warning is announced, all guests and staff should move to shelter areas in the facility's restrooms and shower areas. Stay close to interior walls.
• Whenever the aquatic facility manager either hears thunder or sees lightning, all swimmers and patrons are required to get out of the aquatic facility and off all deck areas and remain under the shelter of the bathhouse until the sky is clear, or until 20 minutes have elapsed after the last clap of thunder is heard or lightning is sighted.
• In the absence of thunder, the pool will be cleared if rain is heavy enough to obscure the view of the bottom.
• Aquatic Facilities may close in anticipation of severe weather to ensure the safety of patrons and staff.
• Aquatic Facilities may close or remain closed due to weather-related low attendance.