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Recreational Services

Aquatic Center Regulations


Tootell Pool Regulations

The following rules and regulations are designed for your safety, health and comfort as mandated by the State of Rhode Island Health Department and the Department of Recreational Services.

Any patron disregarding these rules will be asked to leave the Mackal-Keaney-Tootell Complex and may be subject to loss of facility privileges. The Coordinator of Aquatics, Aquatics Specialist, on-duty Facility Supervisor and/or Lifeguard(s) have sole discretion as to the potential danger and/or inappropriateness of any patron's actions or attire.

 

  1. URI students who are registered as a matriculating student are admitted free of charge with a current valid/encoded student I.D. card. Faculty, staff and alumni holding a Rec Membership may use the Aquatic Center by presenting their current Rec Pass Membership card to the Lifeguard on-duty. All other individuals can purchase a daily swim pass or a TAC Pass Membership at an individual, family or senior rate, at the Rec Service Center located in the Mackal Field House. Patrons MUST present their daily pass/members pass to the URI Lifeguard on duty each time they enter the pool facility.

  2. All State of Rhode Island Health Department rules are in effect.

  3. Swimming allowed only when URI Lifeguards present.  There may be only one Lifeguard on duty during times other than Community Swim Hours.

  4. A long whistle blast signals an emergency and/or safety issue.  Look to the lifeguards for further instructions.

  5. Children under 7 years of age MUST be supervised on the deck or in the pool(s) by their parent or guardian who must be suited to swim. Parents/Guardians of children under 12 years of age must remain on the pool deck/spectator area while children are swimming.

  6. Children 4 years and under may only use the facility if they are accompanied in the water on a one to one basis by their parent or guardian.

  7. Starting blocks are for competitive team use only.

  8. Do not leave valuables unattended. Utilize day lockers or rent a locker. We do not take responsibility for loss or theft.

  9. Individuals with open wounds and/or communicable diseases are not allowed in the pools.  No band-aids or casts may be worn in the pools.

  10. Practice good hygiene. Take a shower before swimming and wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers. Germs can spread to surfaces and objects in and around the pool and spread illness.

  11. Infants and young children not in control of bodily functions must wear plastic pants or swim diapers designed specifically for pool use. Diapers are not be changed on the pool deck.

  12. All swimmers must enter the pool through the appropriate locker room and are required to take a thorough (soap) shower before entering the pool. If in need of locker room for children of opposite gender, please utilize the Family Changing Room.

  13. Proper swimming attire is required. Street shoes are NOT allowed on the pool deck.

  14. URI owned floatation/teaching devices other than kick boards, barbells and noodles are NOT to be used except under direct supervision of URI instructors during scheduled Recreational Services classes and programs. Only approved U.S. Coast Guard personal floatation devices are permitted under the direct supervision of a parent/guardian who is water skilled and must be within arms distance of the user. Inflatables (such as "water wings" "styrofoam bubbles" or floats sewn into swim suit) are not allowed.

  15. Snorkels, masks and fins may be used by adults 17 years or older. Scuba gear is allowed only during academic sponsored class or approved Department programs.

  16. Horseplay is not tolerated. Running, pushing, dunking, water fighting, chicken fights, etc... are dangerous and are prohibited. Please walk on pool deck.

  17. Chewing gum, food and drinks are NOT allowed on the pool deck or in the pools. No glass containers are allowed on the pool deck, seating area or locker rooms. Only fluid replacement drinks in un-breakable containers are allowed on the pool deck.

  18. Diving is not permitted into the instructional pool. Caution should be used when diving into the lap pool. Diving or jumping deemed unsafe in the judgement of pool personnel will be prohibited.

  19. Pool personnel reserve the right to assign any swimmer(s) to a lane(s) or pool according to ability. Lifeguard may ask children to leave the lap pool if he or she is unable to continuously swim laps or interrupts others.

  20. Private lessons may not be given by non-URI Aquatic staff at any time.

Diving Well Rules & Regulations:

1. Only one diver at a time is permitted on a diving board. Dive or jump straight ahead.  Swim directly to the nearest ladder and exit pool immediately.

2. Divers using the boards are not allowed to:

  • Sit on board
  • Wear a flotation device
  • Do a handstand or cartwheel
  • Hang or run off board
  • Bounce repeatedly at the end of the board

3. The lanes in the diving well are for swimming/jogging only; all "free play" is in the designated area in the Instructional Pool.

4. Divers must be able to swim unassisted in deep water in order to use the diving boards. 


Learn to Swim: Rules & Regulations

  1. Please make sure to look at your receipt/registration form to see that the class/day/time is correct.  There will be a $5.00 transfer fee assessed if you wish to change classes.

  2. Classes are subject to cancellation if they fail to meet the minimum enrollment standard. URI will attempt to notify the participant or the parent(s) of affected students before the first class meeting and will be placed in an open class if the time and days are agreeable with the participant.  If placement cannot be made a full credit will be issued.

  3. Withdrawal Policy: A withdrawal fee will be assessed as follows:

    10% of registration fee = If cancellation is made prior to the first class
    50% of registration fee = If cancellation is made prior to the second class
    100% of registration fee = After the second class meets, no account balances will be given

  4. Refunds:  No cash refunds will be given by the Department of Recreational Services.  A balance will be applied to the Client's account, following the proper Withdrawal Fees listed above.  There will be no expiration for this balance and it will remain on the account until it is used by the Client (balances are non-transferable and must be used within a family). 

  5. Transfer Fee:  There is a $5.00 transfer fee for EACH transfer made from one class to another.  All transfer must be made at the Rec Service Center.       

    Before leaving the Rec Service Center, please check your registration form to make sure you are signed up for the correct time; day; level.
    It is the responsibility of the parent to speak directly with the instructor prior to registration.  After your initial registration is made, you will be charged a $5.00 transfer fee if you choose to change/switch class(es).  There is no exception to the policy.   

  6. Plan to attend the dates and times for class(es) as listed on your registration form. Due to class size, we are unable to switch these classes for make-up. Classes are not made up unless the class did not meet due to unforeseen University emergencies.

  7. To ensure the quality of our program, the Aquatics Specialist determines class size.  Class sizes are determined on an individual basis and vary depending on class level and the instructor's experience.  Please do not ask instructors to make exceptions, it is not their prerogative.

  8. It is the desire of URI Aquatics that each class meet for a minimum of five times per session. We may schedule additional class(es) to allow for emergency situations such as when either the University or South Kingstown School District close due to inclement weather; power failures and chemical problems in the Tootell Complex or instructor illness. Should it be necessary to reschedule a class, your instructor will make every attempt to call you. Vouchers are not given for classes missed by a student unless it is caused by the University or instructor and results in fewer than four (4) classes. Call the Rec Services Hotline to confirm cancellations at 874-4343.

  9. Due to the University schedule, low class enrollment or lack of qualified instructors, some classes may not be continued in subsequent sessions.  When this occurs participants are encouraged to register after their fifth class, prior to open registration, in any applicable and available class.  While every effort will be made to place your child in an acceptable class, you may find our private lesson program helpful and a good option.

  10. During swim lessons, infants, children and youth are only allowed in the pools during their class time.  All infants, children and youth are the responsibility of their parents while at the University before and after their lesson or while waiting for their sibling and or a friend to finish a lesson.

  11. For changing children of opposite gender, please use the family changing room, located across the west hall from the natatorium on deck level. The lifeguard on duty will be happy to give you directions. There are toilets and sinks at the bottom of each ramp leading to the deck and the women's shower room has private shower stalls which are available. We request that you not take children of the opposite gender into the locker rooms or to have them change in the hallways.

  12. The URI Athletics Department and the Department of Recreational Services assumes no responsibility for lost or stolen articles. We encourage patrons to leave valuables at home or lock your belongings in a locker.

  13. If you will require use of the elevator to bring you to deck level, have the Rec Service Center attendant call the lifeguard when you enter the building and a lifeguard will have the elevator ready for your use.       

  14. Strollers must remain away from the edge of the pools and  must be attended by an adult the entire time they are occupied.

  15. Shoes must be removed before entering the pool area.

  16. Food, gum, beverages, or glass containers are not allowed on the deck or in the Locker Room/Family Changing Room.

  17. Open wounds and band-aids are not allowed in the pool.

  18. Entrance to the pool is through the locker rooms or from the family changing room.  Students should meet their instructor by the star (poster) located on the southwest corner of the pool deck.

  19. Diapers should not be changed in the pool area. Please utilize the locker or family changing room and dispose of in trash receptacle. Please wash your hands after changing diapers or using the toilet facilities.

  20. For all classes except for the first orientation class, parents are required to stay and watch their children from the stands above the pool area (so as not to distract your child or the Instructor during his/her lesson) or purchase a pass and swim in the lap pool while lessons are going on (provided that the pool is open for Open Rec Swim).

  21. Instructors should be on time for classes and should hold classes for the entire scheduled times. Please report any violations to the Aquatics Specialist.

  22. A parking pass along with the guidelines will be issued at the time of registration.  Parking is located in front of the Brad Boss Arena and is indicated by the pink parking signs. All members and guests are required to adhere to all URI Parking policies.

Our goal is to be your first choice by providing quality service to your family and friends. Please let us know how we are doing and if there is something we can do to make you and your child's experience more enjoyable and productive.