Aquatics and Ice Safety

Safety is a top priority for the City of St. Catharines. Please review our aquatic and ice safety tips to learn how to keep you and your family safe while using our pools or splash pads. We also offer tips on how to be safe around water during the winter months.

Aquatics safety and guidelines

Before you use the pool at the Kiwanis Aquatic Centre, please make sure to follow these safety guidelines:

Parents and guardians must supervise children at all times when using splash pads
If a patron doesn't have bowel control, you them must wear plastic pants or swim diapers under their bathing suit
Water wings, bubbles and floatation devices are only permitted when a child has direct adult supervision in the water
No glass containers, food or beverages are allowed in the pool or splash pad areas or the area immediately surrounding the pool or splash pad
Don't enter a pool or splash pad if you have an open sore or rash of if you're experiencing nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

Aquatics policies

Here are some additional aquatic policies and guidelines:

The City of St. Catharines reserves the right to cancel any swim programs
Pool facilities may close due to maintenance, thunder, lightning or pool fouling
Children 8 years of age and older must change in the appropriate change rooms if a family change room is not available
Please leave all valuables at home. The city isn't responsible for lost or stolen items
Day use lockers are available at most facilities (we will remove locks at the end of each day)
Cameras and camera cell phones are not permitted in washrooms or change rooms
For the privacy of all swimmers, you can't take pictures or videos in the pool or splash pad areas (to take a photo of your child, please ask the lifeguard)
Dogs are not permitted on pool decks or splash pads

You cannot use a private trainer, coach or independent instructor in City owned aquatic facilities unless you've rented the aquatic facility for the purpose of private lessons.

Ice safety

How thick should ice be before you go out on it? What should you do if you fall through the ice? Our aquatic's team has put together some videos on ice safety.

Ice thickness

In this video, we walk you through just how thick ice needs to be before you take part in various winter activities on the ice. Remember, it is best to stay off the ice, even if it seems thick enough. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles can impact the strength and cause safety risks.

Escaping cold water

In these videos, we will walk you through the actions you should take if you fall through the ice and how to stay warm until you get help.

Safety checklist

Use this winter safety checklist to help keep your friends and family safe while you enjoy the winter weather:

Be aware – know where the water's edge is and stay on familiar paths when going for a walk
Check for signage – be on the lookout for thin ice and dangerous water safety signs
Check ice conditions – no ice is safe ice, and you should always be aware of ice thickness and quality
Emergency kit – keep a winter and cold weather emergency kit near you in your vehicle
Phone – Keep a phone nearby to call 911 in an emergency
Safety supervision – A parent or guardian should be actively supervising children near the water
Backyard pool safety – check your winter cover for holes or gaps and ensure that your gate is locked

Here are some additional safety tips to follow:

Use the buddy system and never go out on the ice alone
You can only survive a few minutes in cold water – remember that Ontario water is colder than you think
When outdoors in cold weather, wear multiple layers of dry clothing, warm boots, gloves and a hat