Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

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Programs & Services

Rules and policies for the pool

Pool Closures

Pool Closure Hotline

Occasionally the pool is closed unexpectedly. Please call our Pool Closure Hotline at 416-425-6220, extension 3065 to check the pool status before you make your way to the pool. The message will be changed as soon as a pool closure occurs.

Pool fouling

Unfortunately, on occasion, pools have to be closed unexpectedly due to a pool fouling.  If we are not able to make up the lesson or provide a dryland lesson, a credit will be issued. Please exercise caution and feed your child/ren after their lesson or 2 hours before.  Please encourage your child/ren to use the washroom before entering the pool.

Anticipated pool closures

Our pool is closed on all STAT holidays, in early September every year for annual maintenance and over the Christmas holidays. 

General pool policies

Change room use

Our Family Change Room is for use by parents changing children who are over the age of 7 and of the opposite sex, or who require the use of our lifts and larger changing surfaces.  If you are with a younger child, or a child of the same sex and do not need to use the lifts, we ask that you use the Boy’s or Girl’s change rooms.  In our Family Change Room, nudity is not permitted outside of the changing cubicles, regardless of age.

No shoes please

In order to keep our change rooms and deck clean, we ask that you not wear street shoes in the shower or deck areas.  Please bring a separate pair of indoor, non-slip shoes if you wish to have something on your feet.

Bathing caps

There is a BATHING CAP POLICY in effect at our facility.Anyone with hair longer than shoulder length is required to wear a bathing cap.  Buns or ponytails do not eliminate the need for a bathing cap.  We ask that all Swim School students bring their own bathing cap.  Bathing caps can be purchased at the pool office.

Standard diapers not allowed

A 'pool pant' (Gabby's, Kushies, Little Swimmers, etc.) under a bathing suit (bathing suit acts as a second layer of protection) instead please.

Serious Medical Conditions

Any person with a serious medical condition (ie. seizure disorder) should be accompanied by a responsible adult who is familiar with this condition.  Please make the lifeguard(s) aware of any serious medical conditions.

Supervision of children

While at the facility children 10 years and under must be directly accompanied at all times.

During non-instructional swim programs, children who are under the age of 12 years, less than 48" tall or unable to consistently follow pool rules and lifeguard instructions without support, must be directly supervised by an adult (18 years or older).  Each adult may supervise a maximum of 2 children.

Participants requiring support/supervision

Participants requiring support/supervision in the change rooms or the pool, or who need assistance getting into or out of the pool must bring someone with them for this purpose. There is no charge for attendants who are required for in-water support.

Direct supervision

"Directly supervised" means within arms reach at all times (flotation devices do not eliminate the need for direct supervision).

Access to deep water

Adults are not permitted to take a swimmer who has not successfully completed our deep end test beyond the point where they, the adults, can touch the pool bottom.

Children must be 7 yrs. or older to take the Deep End Test.  All children (and any other swimmers at the discretion of the lifeguard) must take a deep end test prior to being independent in the deep end. Our deep end test consists of swimming not less than 2 widths on the front (with face in the water), 2 widths on the back, 30 seconds of treading water and an overall indication of confidence in deep water. 

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