Abbey Centre - Outdoor Aquatic Centre

As per Policy 164.23, the following instances will be cause for the closure of the Aquatic Centre.

Air Quality Health Index: if the Index reaches an above 7 status via the community of Red Deer (Parkland Airshed Management Zone), the Outdoor Aquatic Centre is to be cleared and closed until the AQHI reached a marker of 7 or below.

Air Temperature: If the air temperature is 10*C or less at noon on any given day, as per Environment Canada (Red Deer Regional Airport), the Outdoor Aquatic Centre will be cleared and closed for the remainder of the day.

Contamination: Regardless of the method of contamination (fecal/vomit/blood), closure depends on the contamination location.  

Equipment Failure: Closure depends on what type of equipment has suffered a failure and which component or pool is affected.

Major Medical / Emergency Procedure: At the time of identification of a major medical occurrence, the Outdoor Aquatic Centre will be cleared and closed, allowing staff to focus on the situation at hand.

Power Outage: The Outdoor Aquatic Centre is cleared and closed during the power outage due to a lack of water circulation.

Unsettled Weather: For extreme weather such as a hailstorm, high winds, snow, or any other weather, the Outdoor Aquatic Centre is cleared and closed.

Please see Policy 164.23 for further details.

1. Pool capacity is 150
2. Front dives and flips are only permitted in the deep end
3. Anyone 12 years and under must swim two widgets with or without a life jacket to receive a deep-end wristband
4. No diving allowed in the shallow end
5. Pool toys are not permitted in the deep end

1. Guests must have a deep end wristband if 12 years old or younger
2. One person at a time
3. Ensure area is clear before and after use
4. Do not swim under or in front of the wall while in use
5. Each climber must start in the water
6. Exit the wall by jumping or forward diving only
7. Flips off the wall are not permitted

1. One person at a time
2. Please clear the area after diving
3. Guests must have a deep end wristband if 12 years old, or younger
4. Only one bounce is allowed prior to entering the water
5. Backflips and back dives are not permitted
6. Always jump straight out from the board
7. Hanging from the diving board is not permitted
8. Weight capacity is 250lbs
9. Parents watching children 7 years of age and younger in the deep end need to be sitting on the edge of the pool or in the water, ready to help and actively supervising.

Deep-end wristbands are acquired by swimming two widths of the Jr. Olympic pool. The swimmer can obtain this wristband by either swimming with or without a PFD. If a PFD was worn, that child must be wristbanded with the designated “PFD OR LJ”.

When swimming for the deep-end wristband, anyone 7 and under must still always have a supervisor in the water with them, regardless of whether the PFD is worn or not.
The child must swim on their front, attempting a front swim/crawl.

1. Hot tub capacity is 30
2. Hot tub temperature maximum is 40C
3. Life jackets are not allowed in the hot tub as they can cause overheating
4. Pregnant women, the elderly, persons with heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, seizures, and young children should use caution and limit their time
5. If you have other health problems or concerns, please consult with your physician before using the hot tub
6. Play equipment is not permitted
7. Submerging the head is not permitted in the hot tub due to increased risk of ear infections and overheating
8. Maximum time in the hot tub is 10 minutes

• Children 7 and under must be accompanied by an adult or supervisor when using or on the slide.
• Children under 48" (4 ft) must go down the slides with an adult or supervisor.
• If a child is 4 feet/48 inches and able to go down the slide on their own, the adult/supervisor must wait at the bottom of the slide to catch their child.
• Unless accompanied by a supervisor/adult, only one person is permitted on the slide at a time.
• Parents may slide down with one child at a time. 
• In the case of two children under 4 feet, a parent is required for each child to use the slide.
• Please look before you slide and always slide feet first.  
• No running or launching onto the slide.
• Please wait until the person in front of you exits the slide drop area below before going down the slide.
• When sliding down the green slide, exit to the left
• Exit to the right when sliding down the purple slide.
• Toys, PFD's or water wings are not allowed on the water slides.

1. Slides are for going down not up 
2. One person per slide at a time 
3. Please ride in a seated, upright position 
4. Area needs to be clear, prior to going down the slide 
5. Play equipment is not permitted

• The use of any toys is at the discretion of the lifeguard on duty. Standing on or diving off floating toys is not permitted
• Toys brought in by the public should be clean and in working order.  Guests should check with the lifeguards on duty to see if their toys are safe for pool use
• The use of play equipment is to be encouraged if it is done safely
• Field House toys/equipment are not permitted into the aquatic area

Swimmers must be able to perform the following swim tasks with and without Mono-Fins to use Mono-Fin equipment.

1. Back float – 5 seconds
2. Front float – 5 seconds
3. Back to front rollover float – 5 seconds
4. Tread water 60 seconds
5. 20m swim (2 widths of Jr. Olympic) or 25m swim (1 length if lap lane available) unassisted.
6. 5m dolphin kick – attempt
7. Competently prove to aquatic staff they can quickly remove the device. 10 seconds.
8. Swimmers are encouraged to have at least a Swimmer 5 or equivalent swimming ability.
9. Not to be worn while going down waterslides, off the diving board, in the Hot Tub or while traveling across pool deck. 
10. If the pool area is too crowded with other swimmers, users will be asked to refrain from using mono-fins.

• Children 7 and under must always be within arm’s reach of a responsible person 13 years or older, even when the child is wearing a PFD.
• Please ensure the PFD fits properly with all the buckles and straps done up.
• Each PFD needs to be rinsed off prior to being hung up to dry.
• PFDs are not permitted in Hot Tub.

1. Guests will have to always remain clear of the bottom of the waterslides unless catching dependent
2. Diving and flips of any kind are not permitted in the leisure pool
3. Big mats/boats are not permitted in the vortex as they create blockage

We want you and your family safe during thunderstorms!

Due to its random and unpredictable nature, preparedness and quick responses are the best defenses towards the lightning hazard. Swimming pools are connected to a much larger surface area via underground water pipes, gas lines, electric and telephone wiring, etc. Lightning strikes to the ground anywhere on this metallic network may induce shocks elsewhere. And where there's thunder, there is lightning!

So WHEN THUNDER ROARS, GO INDOORS!

Aquatics staff must have a 30 minute continuous all clear before operations can resume. Please keep an eye out for signage posted by Guest Services for any ongoing weather advisories.