Admissions policy - Central Baths

General behaviour

Behaviour in the facility must be orderly and controlled to ensure that neither staff, customers nor participants are endangered, disturbed or prevented from enjoying their use of the facility.

The following activities are strictly prohibited within the facility, the grounds and car park areas:

damage (including defacing or vandalising), to structures, equipment trees, plants etc.
climbing on walls, fences, furniture, gates or other structures lighting fires.
depositing litter anywhere other than litter bins.
entering areas that are not open to the public.
selling products of any kind (including food and drink) without the written permission of Sport and Recreation.
using skateboards or roller skates (unless as part of an organised activity); using or playing with bows and arrows, catapults or pea-shooters.
using transistor radios or cassette players.
camping or caravanning on the car parks without authorisation from Sport and Recreation.
driving of vehicles in a manner dangerous to pedestrians in car parks.

Behaviour within activity areas

It is prohibited to:

remove, damage or change equipment, information boards or directional signs.
enter activity areas without consideration for those using the area.
bring equipment into the facility without the express permission of the Manager or Duty Officer.
bring dogs or any other animals into the facility (with the exception of guide dogs).
bring additional chairs into the facility for viewing an event (with the exception of wheelchairs).
undertake any form of gambling or gaming.
undertake any form of illegal activity.
engage in any service or activity likely to cause offence or embarrassment.

Facility staff have the right to override any of these regulations in the event of an emergency such as fire, accident, etc.

Admission of babies

Babies under the age of 12 weeks will not be allowed to use Sport and Recreation facilities.

Parents of children under six months old will be advised against them swimming as there is no benefit to be gained and babies may suffer ill effects from getting quickly chilled and chemicals in the pool water may be too harsh for their skin.

Babies who are not toilet trained will be required to wear a specially designed swimming nappy to prevent faecal soiling in the pool.

Use of cameras, mobile phones, video recorders

With a view to protecting customers, particularly children, the following measures have been implemented within Sport and Recreation facilities:

The use of all mobile phones, digital cameras and videos has been banned in all changing areas, swimming pools, creches and toilets.
Any customer wishing to take photographs or digital images must obtain the written permission of the Facility Manager and gain consent of any people who will appear in the images.

Wearing of Kirpans

Sport and Recreation Services have adopted the approach taken by the Education Department on the wearing of Kirpans (religious symbol) on its premises. Sport and Recreation would prefer that Kirpans are removed during sporting activities but should this prove unacceptable to users (or their parents) Kirpans will be allowed to be worn under the following conditions:

Sikh adults will be allowed to wear a Kirpan provided that it is fully sheathed, secured and hidden in or under sportswear (usually in a sewn in pocket).
Sikh children who are visiting as part of a school group are under the responsibility of the school and any concerns should be raised through the Duty Officer with the supervising teacher and subsequently the Head Teacher.
Junior casual users will be sensitively asked to remove the Kirpan for the duration of their sporting activity by the Duty Officer. They should be requested to wear a symbolic version (refer to their arrangements whilst in school) for any future visits to the facility. Removed Kirpans will be kept in the facility safe.
Users or their parents may have objections to these arrangements and it is the responsibility of the Facility Manager to discuss and negotiate within the Education Department’s guidelines to arrive at a resolution which protects the rights of individuals concerned as well as the safety of all users of the facility.

Sikh adults will also be allowed to wear other religious symbolic elements of their religion and these are detailed in facility Normal Operating Procedures manual.

Closures

Any decision to close or withdraw a service due to adverse weather or some other unforeseen circumstance will be taken by a senior officer of Sport and Recreation.

Occupancy

Maximum occupancy limits as set for each facility will be adhered to and these are available in the facility Normal Operating Procedures manual.

Verbal, physical or intimidating behaviour towards staff or customers

Whilst encouraging customers to actively enjoy their chosen activity, this facility will not accept acts of verbal, physical or intimidating behaviour towards staff or customers.

The Duty Officer or Facility Manager has the right to refuse admission or require to leave the facility any person who may present a hazard to themselves or other users.

Customers who have medical conditions which may present particular difficulties or potential risks will be encouraged to notify facility staff on entering the building.

The Facility Manager will take the following steps to deal with acts of verbal, physical or intimidating behaviour:

Stage one

Minor incidentan informal verbal warning will be recorded on an incident form.

Stage two

Serious incident or refusal to take note of stage one warning which may result in expulsion from that visit – formal notification issued from Facility Manager or their representative.

Stage three

Continuous abuse or refusal to take note of stage two warning – formal final written warning issued by the Senior Operations Manager.

Stage four

Serious breach of policy or refusal to take note of stage three warning – customer to be notified of their expulsion from a facility or across the service through formal notification from the Sport and Recreation Manager. A customer shall have the right to appeal to the Head of Community Services.

The Facility Manager has the right to adopt the appropriate stage dependent on the nature of the incident or call the police should they be required.

The customer is not entitled to a refund at any of the above stages

Racial harassment

This facility recognises the devastating effect any act of racial harassment may have and that such behaviour is unacceptable.

This facility will use all available powers to prevent harassment and take action against the perpetrators, whilst providing the maximum support to those experiencing racial harassment.