Recreational Swimming

OUR NEW AQUATICS CENTER IS NOW OPEN

We're excited to have our new pool opened for the community! Construction has finished on our pool and we have opened it up for use while the rest of the facility is still under construction. Please read the FAQ below before your visit.

HOURS:

Sundays: 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Monday - Friday: 5:00 am - 9:00pm

Saturdays: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm

Frequently Asked Questions
What has changed with the pool?
  • The pool now has a permanent concrete zero entry ramp and stairs into the water.
  • There is all new plumbing leading from the pool to the facilities.
  • All new electrical, air filtration, heating and air conditioning systems.
  • All new equipment in our pool pump room (aka filtration system, boiler, etc).
  • The new sauna/steam room/hot tub will be on the pool deck vs in locker rooms.
  • There will be two on deck private changing rooms/restrooms.
  • New diving blocks and diving boards.
  • Four on-deck showers will be available to help ensure all patrons are able to rinse off before using the pool (as required by state health dept code).
Is everything 100% completed in the pool?

No. There are still a few things that will need to be done in the pool area that either can’t be completed before the rest of the building construction is complete or minor things that need to be done but don’t affect our opening. In order to not delay the opening of the pool any longer, we will do additional work in the pool area as needed.

How do I get into the pool since the rest of the building is closed?

All patrons must enter through the North side of the building. Entrance is right across the street from the bowling alley.

Where can I park?

Parking will be available directly on 18th street, in front of the mini golf building, and at the new parking lot located on the northwest side of the building (limited). Some of the new parking area is still designated a construction zone so parking is unavailable there at this time. Any overflow can park at the 18th st. YMCA and walk over. Please be considerate of those who may not be able to walk as far and leave the new parking area to those who need it during peak hours. There will be a couple handicap spots reserved in the new parking area.

THERE IS NO LONGER PARKING FOR YMCA USE AT THE BOWLING ALLEY or along the north driveway. All swim team participants MUST park at the 18TH STREET BUILDING.

Will we have access to the locker rooms?

There will not be any access to the locker rooms until the rest of the facility opens. However, we will have two temporary changing areas and two private restrooms available.

Will we be able to shower at the new facility?

We will have 4 on-deck showers for patron use to be able to rinse off. There are no private showers. The 18th St building locker rooms will remain open for anyone needing full showers.

Will there be coffee available?

We are working with our vendor to get coffee temporarily set up again for morning hours but it won’t be available right away. Coffee hours once equipment has arrived is Monday-Friday 5:30am-noon, Saturday 7:30am-noon, and none on Sunday.

Will swim lessons be starting up again?

Of course! We are offering both private and group swim lessons. For more information, please see the swimming lessons page located under our Programs tab on the website.

Will the pool still be restricted to members only while construction on the rest of the building is still in progress?

No! We are excited to welcome both members and non-members to use our pool. Any non-members must check in/pay with the 18th st. front desk before going to the 16th st. pool. Once at the 16th st pool, the lifeguard will require to see your proof of check-in. All members will use their membership card to scan themselves in. 

Will the hot tub, sauna, and steam room be available for use when the pool opens?

Our new hot tub, steam room, and sauna are all open for use!

When will the aquatic exercise classes begin?

Aquatics group exercise classes are back! You can find the full schedule here.

Are there any updated rules/policies that patrons should be aware of for the pool?
  • The below listed rules are not new but we would like to bring your attention to them again. These will be fully enforced. For full pool/spa rules, visit our website.
    • All pool/hot tub users are required to wear proper swim attire (no street clothes allowed, ie - cutoffs, sports bras, gym shorts). This will help keep our new filtration systems running smoothly.
    • All patrons must shower before entering the pool. This includes when moving back and forth between spa areas and the pool (a shower must be repeated between each use to remove excess sweat from the body). This will also help our systems stay in peak performance and help with chemical regulation. Oils from our body, dirt, lotions, etc are all enemies of a balanced pool.
    • Children must be 8 years of age or older AND be able to swim to be in the pool without a supervising party in the water with them. The supervising party must be 14 years of age or older and have no more than two children in their care who are under 8/can’t swim.
Are there any updated rules/policies that patrons should be aware of for the spa areas (this includes the hot tub, dry sauna, and steam room)?

Some rules will be new and others are the same but need to be emphasized again.

  1. No person under the age of 14 may use any spa area.
  2. All hot tub users are required to shower before entering the hot tub. This is for the same reason as the pool, it will help keep our chemicals regulated and our systems running smoothly.
  3. All spa users must be in appropriate clothing for each area.
    1. Hot tub: swim attire only, no street clothes.
    2. Sauna/steam rooms: No street shoes (ie. tennis shoes) or heavy clothing (ie. sweat suits). 
  4. Observe reasonable time limits (that is, 10-15 minutes), then leave the area and cool down before returning for another brief stay. Long exposure may result in nausea, dizziness, or fainting. It is very easy to become overheated in these areas, this is for patron safety.
  5. All food or drink (including water) is strictly prohibited in both the sauna and steam room. Hydrate properly before and after each use. Due to patrons pouring lotions/oils/water onto our previous sauna/steam room components (which causes significant damage), no liquid of any kind will be allowed in those areas. Water bottles will be allowed next to the hot tub as long as they are not made of glass. 
Aquatics Rules and Regulations
Pool Rules

POOL RULES

  1. No person is permitted to use the pool without wearing appropriate swim attire (no street clothes allowed - ie. gym shorts, cutoffs, sport bras).
  2. No person is permitted to use the pool without having first taken a warm water shower, using soap.
  3. No person having obvious communicable diseases, skin eruption, cut, sore/lesion, eye/ear/nose/throat infection, is permitted to use any public swimming pool.
  4. Only US Coast Guard approved flotation devices are permitted in the pool. No inflatable devices, such as water wings, will be allowed.
  5. Children must be 8 years of age or older AND be able to swim to be in the pool without a supervising party in the water with them. The supervising party must be 14 years of age or older and have no more than two children in their care who are under 8/can’t swim.
  6. When standing, children are not allowed in water deeper than mid-chest of the pool unless: (a.) They have passed an appropriate swimming test. (b.) They are wearing a USCG approved floatation device. (c.) They are within arm’s reach of a responsible adult caregiver (who has no more than two such children in his/her charge). (d.) They are actively involved in an approved swimming lesson.
  7. No swimmers requiring the use of a flotation device will be allowed in the deep end. All swimmers wishing to swim in the deep end must pass a swim test conducted by a lifeguard.
  8. All children who are not completely potty trained, will be required to use a swim diaper. No regular diapers allowed in the pool.
  9. Anyone requiring lifeguard assistance from the water will not be allowed back in the water that day.
  10. Spitting/spouting of water, blowing the nose, or any other similar activities in the swimming pool are strictly prohibited.
  11. No running, pushing, boisterous/rough play, except supervised water sports, is permitted in the pool, on deck, diving blocks, diving boards, or other pool areas (including locker rooms).
  12. No food or drink allowed on deck besides water. Absolutely NO glass. 
  13. Swimmers shall keep off lane-ropes. Use ladders only for getting into or out of the pool.
  14. Absolutely no diving into the shallow end. Diving is permitted only in the far deep end of the pool.
  15. Rest breaks may be called at the lifeguard’s discretion. People under the age of 16 must exit the water during these breaks.
  16. When lap swimming during busy times, you may be asked to share a lane. 
  17. Be respectful of those swimming around you.

THE LIFEGUARD IS THE AUTHORITY ON THE POOL DECK. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE LIFEGUARD’S INSTRUCTIONS OR DISRESPECTFUL BEHAVIOR IS ADEQUATE GROUNDS FOR EJECTION FROM THE YMCA.

DIVING RULES

  1. No swimmer requiring the aid of a floatation device (ie. life jackets, pool noodles) may use the diving board.
  2. All divers must be able to demonstrate the ability to swim unaided before entering the deep end or using the diving boards. All swim tests will be administered by a lifeguard.
  3.  Parents/guardians are not allowed on the diving board with their children or in the water to "catch" their children.
  4. All divers must use the ladder to mount the diving board and may not mount the board until the previous diver is no longer on the board. 
  5. All divers must verify the previous diver is completely clear from the diving area before diving into the water.
  6. All divers must swim to the ladder or side of the pool immediately after diving.
  7. No diver may hang onto or under the diving board. 
  8. No diver may sit on guardrails or on the board.
  9. No more than one bounce is permitted by divers using the diving boards.
  10. A divers hands must enter first during head first dives.
  11. All divers must enter the water from the end of the board, not off the side of the board.
  12. No goggles are allowed when using the diving board.
  13. No fancy dives (such as: any type of gainer, teddy bear, inward, or reverse dive). Lifeguards may restrict divers or dives as deemed necessary.

LIFEGUARDS HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE DECISIONS REGARDING THE ABUSE OF RULES AND UNSAFE CONDITIONS ON THE DIVING BOARD AND IN THE SWIMMING POOL.

Spa Rules

SPA RULES

(includes hot tub, steam room, and dry sauna)

  1. No person under the age of 14 may enter any spa area. Unsupervised use by children under the age of 16 is prohibited. 
  2. No person is permitted to use the spa without first having taken a warm water shower, using soap. No person is permitted to leave any spa area to enter the pool without repeating this process between usages.
  3. Pregnant women, elderly persons and persons suffering from heart disease, diabetes, or high/low blood pressure should not enter any spa area without prior medical consultation and permission from their doctor.
  4. Do not use any spa area while under the influence of alcohol, tranquilizers, or other drugs that cause drowsiness or that raise or lower blood pressure.
  5. All spa users must be in area appropriate clothing at all times. (a.) Hot tub attire: swimsuits only, no street clothes. (b.) Dry sauna/steam room attire: no street shoes such as tennis shoes, no heavy clothing such as sweat suits.
  6. Observe reasonable time limits (that is, 10-15 minutes), then leave the water and cool down before returning for another brief stay. Long exposure may result in nausea, dizziness, or fainting.
  7. Hot tub maximum patron load is 6 persons.
  8. Do not use alone.
  9. Enter and exit slowly.
  10. Diving or jumping into the hot tub is prohibited.
  11. Keep all breakable objects out of spa areas.
  12. All food or drink (including water) is strictly prohibited in all spa areas. Hydrate properly before and after each use.
  13. Body lotions or oils of any kind are not allowed in any spa area.
  14. No pouring liquid of any kind on or laying any items on heating elements.
  15. No personal grooming/bathing in any spa area.
  16. Do not use at water temperatures greater than 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees celsius). 

LIFEGUARDS HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE DECISIONS REGARDING THE ABUSE OF RULES AND UNSAFE CONDITIONS IN THE SPA AREAS AND MAY RESTRICT PATRON USE.

Swimming is a valuable life skill, a great exercise option and a wonderful opportunity to bond with family and friends. The Hastings YMCA offers an abundance of time for open recreational and lap swimming. At the Y, everyone can safely enjoy some time at our pools, get wet and have fun!