AQUATICS CENTER
The Aquatics Center
The Aquatics Center is the pride and joy of the Keene Family YMCA. Our Aquatics Center has its own dedicated space in the facility, with high ceilings, windows, and a large pool deck.
There is plenty of seating available from which to watch lessons, the swim team, or just to sit. The air temperature is always set at a warm 87 degrees.
Our center has two pools, a sauna, a steam room, and 12-person hot tub.
The pool slide is typically set up for member use every weekend but is not being used until further notice because of the pandemic.
At the center we offer swim lessons for children and adults, a variety of aqua-aerobic classes, special events for families, and more.
Member Safety is our Top Priority
There is always a lifeguard on duty whenever the pool is open. Our lifeguards are American Red Cross or YMCA Lifeguard certified. They are trained to recognize and respond to emergency situations, CPR and AED usage, and first aid.
All of our aquatic staff (group exercise instructors, swim instructors, swim coaches) are trained in CPR, AED, and first aid.
For more information about any of our Aquatics programs or the Aquatics Center, please contact our Aquatics Director, Morgan Allard
Lap Pool Facts:
- 82 degrees
- 6’ depth
- 25 yards long
- 6 lanes, always at least 1 lane available for lap swimming
- ADA compliant stairs and chair lift
Teaching Pool Facts:
- 84 degrees
- 5’5” depth in deep end
- Zero-entry ramp
- Perfect for lessons, swimming and splashing with the kids, or warming up before laps
POLICIES
Hot Tub
- 12 person capacity*
- Average temp 102 ° F
Age Guidelines:
- No Use Allowed: 10 and under
- Supervised Use Allowed: 11-15
- Unsupervised Use Allowed: 16+
Sauna & Steam Rooms
- Co-Ed
- Temperature Controls
Age Guidelines:
- No Use Allowed: 15 and under
- Unsupervised Use Allowed: 18+
Lap Pool Slide - Not currently available
Available Saturdays and Sundays 2:00-3:30pm
Slide Rules:
- No lifejackets or water shoes are permitted on the slide.
- Only children who have passed the swim test and are wearing their green swim band can go on the slide. Adults are permitted on the slide; however, there is a 225-pound weight limit. Adults may not hold or take children who have not passed the swim test on to the slide.
- You may only go down on your back with your feet first. No riding the slide head first, on your stomach, or backwards.
- All patrons have to wait at the bottom of the ladder until the lifeguard tells them they can climb up the ladder for their turn.
- Lifeguards are the final authority on slide usage.
Aquatics Center Rules and Policies
Our aquatics center is open to all members and guests of the YMCA. Please follow these policies to ensure a safe, fun, and enjoyable experience for all members and guests.
- Showers must be taken prior to pool/hot tub use.
- Appropriate attire required for use of the pools, hot tub, steam room and sauna. Bathing suits must be appropriate for a family facility. No pants of any kind or cut-offs.
- No running on the pool deck.
- Appropriate behavior and language are always expected. Those engaging in rough or dangerous behavior or using profanity will be asked to leave.
- No diving. Diving may be taught as part of a YMCA program under staff supervision.
- Please keep splashing to a minimum and be respectful of those around you.
- No back jumps, dives, flips or twists off the wall. Front jumps are permitted in the lap pool only.
- No jumping into the hot tub or therapy pool during open swim
- Hair must be pulled back or a swim cap worn if hair is shoulder length or longer.
- No band-aids permitted. No open sores.
- No glass containers, food, or street shoes permitted on the deck.
- Non-potty-trained members/guests must wear a swim diaper in the water. Traditional diapers are not permitted.
- Hot tub, sauna, and steam room use is limited to 10 minutes by state law. Individuals who have a heart condition or are pregnant should not use these areas. Consult your doctor prior to use.
- A lifeguard will always be on duty when the aquatics center is open. Lifeguards are the final authority on behavior and language and are authorized to remove any member/guest not following these rules or endangering themselves or others will be asked to leave the premises. Please refrain from talking to or asking for unnecessary assistance from lifeguards. They must remain focused on the pool at all times and are there for your safety.
Aquatic Center Age Guidelines and Youth Swim Test Policy
- Youth members must be at least 11 years of age to access the facility without an adult
- Youth 8 years of age and under must have a responsible adult with them in the Aquatics Center at all times except during leader led programs.
- Any child under 6 years of age must have an adult (at least 18 years of age) accompany them in the water (within arm’s reach).
- Any child 6-8 years of age that has successfully completed the deep water swim test, must have a responsible adult with them in the Aquatics Center at all times except during leader led programs.
- Youth non-swimmers 8-12 years of age as determined by the swim test must have a responsible adult present in the aquatics center.
- Adults must be present to take children to the bathroom. Aquatic staff may not take your child into the locker room.
- All youth guests must be accompanied by an adult (at least 18 years of age) when accessing the facility and must follow the age/supervision requirements as listed above.
Deep Water Competency Test:
- Swim comfortably 25 yards from deep to shallow without touching the bottom or sides of the pool.
- Jump into water that is over the member/guest head and return to the surface.
- Tread water for one minute;
- Turn on their back, float briefly, exit water.
- Deep water competent swimmers may access all parts of the pool while wearing a green band
- Members/Guests who do not pass the swim test are considered non-swimmers.
- Members/Guests who decline to take the swim test are considered non-swimmers.
- Non-swimmers must stay in shallow water (armpit-depth or less) and require active adult supervision. Active adult supervision means an adult must be in the water within arm’s reach at all times (1 adult per 6 children ratio).
- Non-swimmers who do not meet the “armpit-depth” guideline are required to wear a US Coast Guard approved Type II or III PFD and require active adult supervision.
- Instructional Flotation Devices (IFDs -such as noodles and bubbles) should not be used in lieu of a PFD. IFDs may be used by non-swimmers only in addition to a Coast Guard approved PFD.
- All swimmers must be clearly identified as to their swimming ability.
- Swimmers are classified only as “swimmer” or “non-swimmer”
- Swimmer – green band
- Non-swimmer – no band
Pools zones should be organized for all swim times; including outside group use, birthday parties, recreation and family swims.
Buoy-lines will be used to create deep-water and shallow-water zones.
Swim testing may only be conducted when other swimmers are not in the pool or when additional Lifeguard supervision is present in sufficient ratio to allow for a Lifeguard to conduct testing.
- Lifeguards must ensure that all swimmers have been tested. Patrons who arrive and have not been tested are considered non-swimmers and must remain in arm-pit depth water until such time testing can be arranged.
- Lifeguards must ensure that adult supervision is provided as outlined in the procedures. Unsupervised non-swimmers will be removed from the water at the Lifeguard’s discretion
- Swimmers are given their initial GREEN band by the lifeguard issuing the swim evaluation.
- Lifeguard will record the patron’s information to be input into membership profile for future reference.
- Deep water swimmers who have passed their swim test will be responsible for bringing their GREEN band with them each time they come to swim. If they do not have it and would like to swim in deep water, an additional GREEN band may be purchased at the Welcome Center for $5.