RULES AND REGULATIONS

To provide maximum safety, pleasure, and comfort to members and to insure clean operation of the pool and adjoining facilities, the MPRA Board of Directors has adopted the following rules and regulations.

GENERAL RULES

All persons using the Pool and pool areas do so at their own risk.

  1. All members shall respect the decisions of the lifeguards and Pool Staff.
  2. The Pool Manager has final authority to enforce all rules relating to health and safety. Failure to comply with those rules will be considered sufficient cause for action by Pool Management, which may include the barring of violators from the use of the pool and adjoining facilities.
  3. Merrimack Pool shall not be responsible for loss or damage to personal property.
  4. The cost of any damage to pool facilities will be charged to the responsible party.
  5. No one can use the pool unless it is officially open and lifeguards are on duty.
  6. Parties and events must be pre-approved by pool management (see website).
  7. Only those in acceptable swimming attire are permitted in the main pool.
  8. There will be a 15-minute adult swim every hour (except during the final hour the pool is open), during which no one under 16 is allowed in the pool.  This time will occur from :45 minutes to the top of the hour.
  9. The pool may be closed at any time due to equipment breakdown, weather, or operating difficulties. The Pool Manager has the authority to close the pool.
  10. The pool will be cleared of all people in the event of an emergency. The signal for this will be 3 blasts of the guard’s whistle.

HEALTH & SAFETY

  1. Children who are not toilet-trained are not permitted in the main pool at any time. No children in diapers or swim diapers are allowed in the main pool, even if held by an adult.
  2. Please do not come to the pool if you are feeling sick, running a fever, or otherwise have a concern that you could pose a health risk to others.
  3. Eating and drinking are allowed in the picnic area, in front of Mack’s cafe, and at tables and spaces away from the pool. Please do not eat or drink in locations close to the water where items could fall or be blown into the pool. Please manage younger children to ensure that they follow the same rules.
  4. No glass containers of any kind are allowed inside the pool gates. Please transfer to a plastic container.
  5. Running, pushing, wrestling, or other activities that pose a risk of falling or running into others are not permitted. Repeated infringement of these rules, or participation in any other activity that presents a danger to oneself or others as determined by the pool staff may result in the individuals involved being asked to leave.
  6. Beach balls, toys, inflatable mats, etc. are not permitted in the main pool, except during special events. Swim fins, plastic face masks and swimming aids may be used at the discretion of the staff.
  7. Smaller balls, preferably soft, may be used for play at the discretion of the staff.
  8. Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the pool gates.
  9. All injuries should be reported immediately to the Pool Manager or staff.
  10. Only authorized personnel are permitted in the office or on the lifeguard stands.
  11. No alcoholic beverages are permitted in the pool area, except during pool-organized adult events.
  12. No dogs or other pets are allowed on the pool deck or pool area at any time (except for the Dog Swim in September!!!).

BABY & TRANSITION POOL

  1. Parents are responsible for and must supervise their children in the baby and transition pools at all times.
  2. Non-Swimmers age 5 and under may use the baby and transition pools, accompanied by an adult or responsible older sibling. Exceptions for non-swimmers older than 5 may be made at the discretion of the Pool Manager. If you have a non-swimmer who is older than 5, please see the Pool Manager.
  3. Children who are not toilet trained must wear tight-fitting rubber pants over diapers or swim diapers in the baby and transition pools.
  4. Only safe plastic toys are permitted in the baby and transition pools.
  5. Gates to the baby and transition pool areas should be kept closed at all times.

DIVING WELL

  1. Use of the diving well is restricted to those who have demonstrated adequate swimming skill to the pool staff. Children must pass a swimming test to be allowed in the area.
  2. Only one person is allowed on each diving board at a time.
  3. Divers must ensure that the previous diver has cleared the area below the board and reached the ladder before commencing their dives.
  4. Divers should clear the landing area upon surfacing, swimming to the nearest ladder or leaving the diving well.
  5. Any games or swimming in the diving area will be at the discretion of the pool staff. Upon request, the area will be reopened for diving.

LAP LANES

  1. The number of lap lanes may change due to pool events or at the discretion of the Pool Manager.
  2. Lap swimmers may need to share the lane when there are multiple swimmers. You should agree with existing swimmer(s) how the lane will be shared (for instance, splitting the lane or counterclockwise circling).

PATRON ACCOUNTS, REGISTRATION AND POOL COMMUNICATIONS

  1. Each account must have the address, and names and photographs of immediate family members residing in the household. Only those family members who have registered and paid for the season may use the pool. (Registered family members may bring unregistered family members into the pool using Daily Guest Passes.)
  2. “Family members” are those who make up a single household at the registered address. Merrimack allows caretakers to be registered upon payment of additional dues.
  3. Each account must provide up-to-date primary personal email addresses, at least one phone number, and separate (non-account member) emergency contact information.
  4. Email is the primary means of contact with account holders. Merrimack will notify account holders of registration dates and deadlines, activity sign ups and pool events by email. Merrimack will make diligent efforts to contact account holders regarding registration, but it is the responsibility of each account holder to register and pay dues on time.

ADMISSION

  1. Everyone who enters the pool must check-in at the Front Desk. Members are responsible for paying the appropriate guest fees and providing guest names. Guests must be limited to 3 per family on holidays and during certain pool sponsored social events. Approval is required for gatherings of 10 or more, see Party Policies.
  2. Children 8 and older are allowed to come to the pool unescorted by an adult upon passing a swimming test given by a member of the pool staff.
  3. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult for admission to the pool area. The adult must remain during the entire time they are in the pool area. An adult is defined as a person at least 16 years old.

GUESTS

  1. Only active account members may purchase Daily Guest Passes. Purchases should be made online before arriving at the pool. Guest Passes purchased at the pool will be charged “on account” as the staff at the gatehouse cannot accept payments. Daily Guest Passes are $5 per person. Guest passes are non-transferable, and are forfeited when a pool account is closed.
  2. All guests must be accompanied by and remain with an account member once checked in to enter the pool for the day.
  3. Guest fees must be paid for non-swimming guests, except for those accompanying a swimmer or diver to team practice and attendees for swim and dive team events. Further exceptions may be granted by the Pool Manager.
  4. Daily Guest Passes should not be used as a substitute for registering family members who use the pool regularly.
  5. Members are expected to inform guests of the pool rules and regulations and to be responsible for their guests’ conduct.
  6. Under a reciprocity agreement, members of Bannockburn Pool may swim at Merrimack and vice versa on weekdays and non-holidays without payment of guest fees. A member of Merrimack must accompany any Bannockburn guest at all times and check them in at the Front Desk. The reciprocity agreement is in effect during the weeks that both pools’ operating seasons overlap.