Rules of Use

General rules

You must not carry out any offensive, threatening, inappropriate, dangerous or illegal activities on Council Recreation and Sport Centres’ premises, and you must comply with the Council’s health and safety requirements, including those directed to your own health and safety. Our decision as to what constitutes an offensive, threatening, inappropriate or dangerous activity will be final and binding. We may immediately suspend your membership and/or exclude you from all Council Recreation and Sport Centres for a period of time which we in our discretion consider reasonable.

Smoking and vaping are prohibited on the premises at all times, including in outdoor areas.

Glassware is not permitted at any Recreation and Sport Centre.

Please do not use your phone, camera or tablet in the changing rooms. Any person that takes a photo in any part of the centre will be required to ensure no other users are in the photo, unless express prior permission is granted. Staff may, at their discretion, request to inspect any photographic device if there is reason to believe this rule has been violated and may ask for the photo to be deleted.

Alcoholic beverages must not be taken into any Recreation and Sport Centre and anyone deemed to be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs will not be allowed entry. Visitors and participants must behave themselves in a manner that is socially acceptable to other users and to staff.

Management reserves the right to refuse entry and/or suspend membership to any person who doesn't follow these rules of use.

Supervision requirements for children under 12 in our Centres

Children younger than 12 years old must be accompanied at our Centres by a responsible caregiver aged 16 years or older unless attending a supervised programme or activity, such as a Swimsmart Lesson. If the child is swimming before or after the lesson, their caregiver must be onsite.

Emergency evacuation

When a continuous alarm sounds, or if instructed to do so by staff, please proceed to the nearest exit immediately, or otherwise as directed by staff and/or automated system.

You will not be permitted to re-enter until clearance has been given.

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is a normal and important part of daily life for many families and needs to be able to happen wherever whānau go.

You are welcome to breastfeed anywhere within the facilities.

Closures

All centres open at 1pm on Anzac Day and are closed on Christmas Day. Some variation in opening hours may occur over the Christmas/New Year period and a reduced Group Fitness timetable will operate over this time.

Opening hours will be displayed on the website and at all Recreation and Sport Centres.

At times we may have to, or choose to, close parts or all of our Recreation and Sport Centres for repairs, general maintenance, refurbishment, health and safety or Civil Defence emergencies. In the event of a planned closure for a period of more than 2 days where the period of closure spans that centre’s normal opening hours, we can discuss options for relocation within another Council Recreation and Sport Centre for this period.

We may provide, in our discretion, a voucher or credit for any such period. Reference our Terms and Conditions of Hire for Recreation and Sport bookings.

Supervising your children in the pool

We know that children can get into trouble faster than adults and we need to work as a team to help them quicker if that happens.

Children under five years old must be within arm’s reach and under constant supervision by a responsible caregiver aged 16 years or older in the pool at all times. The caregiver wears an orange wristband.

Children between the ages of five and seven (inclusive) must be wearing a purple wristband and actively supervised by a responsible caregiver aged 16 years or older, who is to be within the pool area at all times and able to provide immediate assistance.

Children aged 8 to 11 years (inclusive) must have a responsible caregiver 16 years or older on site unless they are in a supervised programme, such as swimming lessons. If they are swimming before or after their programme, their caregiver must be onsite.

Adult to children ratios:

One adult to two children under 5 years old

One adult to one child under 5 and two 5–7-year-olds

One adult to four 5–7-year-olds

General pool use

In the interest of public health, if you or your child has had diarrhoea or vomiting in the last 2 weeks, or have open sores or wounds, please do not enter the water.

Children still in nappies are required to wear swimming nappies. These are available for purchase from the Customer Experience front desk.

To ensure safety and hygiene is maintained swimmers must wear appropriate swimwear that is clean and does not impair their ability to swim.

Sauna, spa and steam pool general rules

You must be aged 16 years or over to enter and/or use the sauna or steam room.

Do not pour water on the coals or sensors.

Spa pools are restricted to 3 years and over, except Taiora QEII which is 16 years or over.

Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver in the water while using the spa.

Health and safety guidelines:

Drink plenty of water.
Spend no longer than 15-20 minutes in the sauna and steam.
If you are pregnant or taking medication, please check with your doctor before using the sauna and steam.
Prolonged exposure to heat can cause low blood pressure and fainting.

Aqua classes

Bookings are required for all aqua classes.

Participants must be over the age of 14.

Participants must have a valid Gym and Pool membership, Pool membership, Group Fitness Multi Visit Pass or paid a casual entry group fitness class to attend.

Swimsmart

Children must hold a Swimsmart membership to register for classes. Adult classes require bookings and are included in Pool or Gym and Pool memberships or can be booked on a casual basis.

Children who are five years old or older will be required to complete an initial assessment prior to registering for Swimsmart classes.

Children do not need to wear wristbands during their Swimsmart class. But are required to wear appropriate wristbands if swimming before or after their class.

Pool bookings

General rules of entry to a Recreation and Sport Centre will apply for all facility hire spaces (including pool space). Booking Terms and Conditions and cancellation policies will be included with your booking confirmation.

Fitness centre guidelines

Before using the fitness centre, you will need to complete a Health and Wellness questionnaire.

Customers must be aged 15 years or over to use the fitness centre, and 14 years or older to attend group fitness classes, unless medical and facility clearance is given.

The Fitness Centre is a camera free zone. Please do not take any photos or videos.

To ensure safety and hygiene, customers are required to wear appropriate clothing and footwear and carry a towel at all times.

Please be courteous to other users by returning weights and equipment after use.

Only Recreation and Sport staff and approved personnel are allowed to operate in a professional capacity.

Fitness Instructors have the right to correct, modify or ask you to refrain from doing any exercises which the instructor may deem hazardous to yourself or others.

There are periods when our fitness centres are unsupervised. To keep you safe, emergency pendants are available during unsupervised hours for you to wear or keep close to you. Please do not put yourself at risk during these hours.

Group fitness guidelines

Participants must have a valid Gym and Pool membership, Gym membership, Group Fitness Multi Visit Pass or paid a casual entry group fitness class to attend.

For safety and hygiene purposes, customers are required to wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Footwear may be removed during Yoga, Pilates, and Rest and Restore classes. For hygiene reasons, a towel must be used during exercise, and equipment should be wiped down after each class.

Bookings are required for group fitness classes. Please book online or see customer experience.

Maximum numbers have been set for classes for safety. To avoid disruption to classes, if you are more than 5 minutes late you may not be permitted entry.

Cancellations can be made up to the time of the class. Please be courteous and cancel your booking in advance so others can book in.

If you have a multi-visit pass and are unable to attend the class, you must cancel your booking at least 30 minutes before the class starts to receive a refund.

All participants must check in to their booked group fitness class by scanning their membership card at reception before attending the class. If you forget your membership card, please see our Customer Experience team.

Virtual group fitness classes are unsupervised. To keep you safe, emergency pendants are available for virtual classes for you to wear or keep close to you. The buttons on the pendants can be pushed in the event of an emergency or incident.