FAQs • El Cerrito, CA • CivicEngage

Why do you have so many rules?: The main reason behind all of our rules is safety. It may seem like we have a lot of rules but swimming pools are full of hazards and we don’t like people to get hurt.

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Recreation - Aquatics

2. How big are the pools?: The competition pool is 25 yards by 25 meters in size. We currently run the lane lines in the yards direction only. There are eight competition lanes and a shallow section that is a little more than one lane wide.

The recreation pool is 25 yards long. It has three 25-yard lap lanes as well as several shallow sections, a fountain, and water slide.

3. How many laps are in a mile?: One mile is 72 laps (one lap of the pool is 25 yards).

4. Do I need to be a member?: No. We are a public pool owned and operated by the City of El Cerrito. All of our programs are available to the public on a fee basis.

5. What types of chemicals are in the water?: In order to keep the water sanitary and safe and adhere to health regulations, we use liquid chlorine (sodium hypo chlorite), hydrochloric acid, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), and calcium chloride. At times additional chemicals may be used in order to insure the proper balance of the water. If you have questions about possible allergic reactions to any of these chemicals please contact a healthcare professional.

6. Do you have lockers?: Yes. Each locker room is equipped with plenty of lockers. They are coin operated ($.50) or you may use your own lock. Lockers are for day use only. Lockers or belongings left over night may be discarded.

7. Are my belongings safe at the Swim Center?: There are so many different people and groups that use the Swim Center on a regular basis that it is difficult for our staff to keep an eye on everyone’s belongings. You should never bring anything of value to the Swim Center and what you do bring is only safe in a properly secured locker. The City of El Cerrito is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

8. How old is a senior? How old is a child?: For our purposes, a senior is at least 60 years old, and a child is 1 year up to 17 years old. For family swim and recreation swim, children under 1 year old are admitted at no charge.

9. How old do you have to be to participate in lap swim?: You must be 14 years old and older. Lap swim is a time designed for adults.

10. Why do nonresidents pay more than residents?: Residents or their landlords pay property taxes that help the city to subsidize our programs and operations, therefore nonresidents pay a 25% surcharge for our classes and passes.

11. Who is considered a resident?: Residents live within the city limits of El Cerrito. If your postal zip code is 94530, you are an El Cerrito resident.

12. It’s hot outside today. Can I come swimming?: If there is a scheduled family / recreation swim (for kids) or lap swim (for adults), then you are welcome to swim during those times. In order to serve the needs of the whole community, our pools are programmed seven days a week with a variety of activities. We cannot cancel prescheduled programs because it is hot outside and others may wish to use the pool. We do offer recreation swim seven days a week in the summer.

13. It’s raining and cold. Is the pool still open or are swimming lessons still happening?: Yes. The only weather that closes the pool is thunder and lightning or anything that prevents the lifeguard from seeing the bottom of the pool.

14. What is the difference between family swim and recreation swim?: Both family swim and recreation swim are times that the recreation pool is open for free play. During family swim times, an adult in the water must accompany all children. This is a quieter time and is designed for families with younger children. The water slide is available for use only during recreation swim.

15. Why don’t you allow my child to wear flotation devices?: We believe, as do most public pools, that children are most safe in the water under the close supervision of their parent or other responsible adult. When a child is wearing a flotation device, we believe that parents develop a false sense of security and do not supervise their child as closely as they otherwise would. In addition, children may feel more confident in the water than they should. Although our pool has shallow enough areas that everyone can stand up, that does not mean that they are safe. When children lose their balance, even in very shallow water, it is very difficult for them to regain it. We have taught thousands of children and adults how to swim without the aid of flotation devices; if anything flotation devices teach poor body position and unwarranted confidence in an environment where caution should always be exercised.

16. What temperature are your swimming pools?: The Recreation Pool is 82-84 degrees and the Competition Pool is 79-81 degrees.

17. Why do you have so many rules?: The main reason behind all of our rules is safety. It may seem like we have a lot of rules but swimming pools are full of hazards and we don’t like people to get hurt.