The rules regulate the use of and the conduct of persons while on or in any leisure facility managed by the council:
No child under eight years of age will be admitted to a swimming pool during public sessions unless accompanied by a responsible person over 16 years.
The following standard rations apply during sessions in our main pools. Main pool sessions include Public Swim, Quiet Swim, Pool Play Sessions, Lane Swim.
Child age |
Supervision ratio |
Additional conditions |
| Under 4 year olds | 1 adult : 1 child | If no swim aids worn |
| Under 4 year olds | 1 adult : 2 children | Both children must wear swim aids |
| 4 years to 7 years olds | 1 adult : 2 children | If no swim aids worn |
| Mixed ages | 1 adult : 2 children | Both children must either wear swim aids or have Swim Aberdeenshire level 5 award |
The following ratio's apply to Small Pool Public sessions in Ellon, Inverurie, Fraserburgh, Peterhead, Banchory and Huntly:
Child age |
Supervision ratio |
Additional conditions |
| Under 4 year olds | 1 adult : 3 children | All children must wear swim aids |
| 4 years to 7 years olds | 1 adult : 3 children | If no swim aids worn |
| Mixed ages | 1 adult : 3 children | All children must either wear swim aids or have Swim Aberdeenshire level 5 award |
Standard ratios apply for under four year olds without armbands or flotation jackets.
At all times, you must not:
• Enter a facility without first having paid for and obtained the appropriate ticket of admission at reception or having first booked the facility using the correct booking form
• Enter the water at a swimming pool unless in the presence of a leisure assistant or lifeguard
• Enter the water at a swimming pool wearing a protective dressing or bandage
• Enter a facility with a known skin infection without taking the necessary steps to avoid contamination such as sought medical advice
• Use a camera, mobile phone or video equipment, without obtaining permission from the duty officer and completing the relevant paperwork
• Enter a swimming pool before taking a shower
• Bring into the building drugs or alcohol or enter the building under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Smoke in any part of the building
• Bring any glass products into a swimming pool building
• Deliberately pollute swimming pool water
• Use offensive or indecent language or conduct themselves in a disorderly or violent manner or in any way annoy or disturb other facility users or staff
• Admit any animal to the building (guide dogs are accepted)
• Enter a dressing room which is reserved for the opposite sex; children under eight years of age may, however, enter a dressing room reserved for the opposite sex if accompanied by a responsible person over 16 years of age
Facility users shall follow any instruction issued by the leisure assistant, duty officer or venue and asset co-ordinator. The duty officer or venue and asset co-ordinator will at any time be entitled to refuse admission to any person to the facility in the interest of public safety.
Head first entry is not permitted in water depths of less than 1.5 metres as indicated by appropriate signage.
No person shall be allowed to enter the swimming pool area if their swimming attire is considered to be unsuitable by the duty officer or their representative. Persons wearing swim wear will not be admitted to the foyer area of the building.
Where provided customers must use lockers and may not leave their belongings in the changing cubicles. Swimmers may not wear face-masks, snorkels, paddles or flippers unless previously authorised by the venue and asset co-ordinator.
Opening hours and session times shall be notified by the council from time to time and may be extended or curtailed as necessary for the efficient running of the pool by the council.
Users must leave the building promptly after a session or let.
The charge for admissions and for hire of facilities are as published by the council, and may be varied without notice from time to time.
The council will not be responsible for loss of or damage to wearing apparel or valuables or any other belongings of any person who enters the building. The council will not accept responsibility for any valuables or other articles deposited at reception.
During public swimming sessions, games, races, swimming examinations or competitions are forbidden unless previously sanctioned by the duty officer.
Applications by persons or organisations for hire of the facility shall be made directly to the leisure facility or caretaker on the appropriate booking form.
Any authorised officer of the council may:
• require a person to leave the building if they have reasonable grounds for believing that this person has contravened, is contravening or is about to contravene any of
these rules; should that person fail to leave, they may expel that person from the building
• inform a person that they have broken the rules and exclude that person from the building if they have reasonable grounds for believing that a person is about to contravene any of these rules