Rules & Regulations
Also see Our Bylaws
GARDEN PARK RECREATION CLUB, INCORPORATED
RULES AND REGULATIONS
March 2022
These rules and regulations have been adopted by the membership for the purpose of assuring the safety and greater enjoyment of the club facilities by its members.
I. DEFINITIONS
Adult – Person 18 years of age or older.
Board – Board of Trustees.
Bylaws – Bylaws of Garden Park Recreation Club.
Club – Garden Park Recreation Club, Inc.
Guest – Any non-member, including house guests, present on the club grounds by invitation or in the company of a member. Accompanied by implies a responsibility for; therefore, the member is responsible for each such guest.
Member – The person(s) whose name(s) appear on the membership certificate, spouse, children living at home or in school, or others as registered with the treasurer. Renters shall be considered the same as members except as specified herein.
II. AUTHORITY AND REVISIONS
The board shall be responsible for the establishment of general rules and regulations covering the use of Club facilities, including:
Setting operating hours and posting schedules at the Club site.
Establishing rules for arranging special functions.
Establishing policies concerning guest admissions.
Offering guest privileges to prospective members. This is at the Board’s discretion and shall not exceed one week.
Closing the pool for safety reasons.
The rules may be changed by a majority vote of those present at any membership meeting as defined by the club bylaws. These rules and regulations may also be changed by the board, subject to approval at the next membership meeting.
III. LIFEGUARD AND SWIM INSTRUCTOR
The board shall hire a lifeguard each year to supervise swimming activities for children seven years of age and older on weekday afternoons. The lifeguard may also perform other duties at the direction of the board.
To maintain safe swimming conditions and order, the board may review any penalties imposed by the lifeguard to determine if additional penalties are appropriate. In cases where the board finds that imposition of penalties provided by the club bylaws would be too severe, but that disciplinary action is necessary, the board may, at its discretion, forbid any member found in violation of these rules use of the club facilities for a period of time not to exceed one year and/or levy a fine of not more than $50.00 plus damages costs, if any.
The lifeguard duties and responsibilities include:
a. Supervising swimming activities for children seven years of age and older on weekday afternoons.
b. Imposing penalties of up to one-week suspension of admission privileges for violations of pool rules. More serious infractions will be dealt with by the board.
c. Performing other duties as specified herein.
d. The board shall hire a swim instructor who shall offer swimming lessons on weekday mornings.
IV. GENERAL USE OF THE FACILITIES
Members in good standing and their guests shall be allowed the use of the club facilities without an admission fee, subject to conditions stated in the club bylaws and elsewhere herein.
Close relatives (children, grandchildren, and parents) may use a member’s band (limited to five [5]) unaccompanied by the member, always within the framework of these rules and with the understanding that the member bears the responsibility.
The maximum number of guests per membership at any time is five. People residing within the club boundaries, as defined by the bylaws, may not be guests more than once per month.
Members will be fully responsible for their guests.
Those renting memberships through the Club shall have guest privileges limited to include:
a) local Quad Cities area guests not more often than once per month, and
b) non-local in-house guests.
All members and guests must always have on their person Club identification bands while within the fenced area. Member and guest bands are available from the club secretary. See attachment for description and use of the membership bands.
A member or renter family shall be permitted multiple group party reservations per year. Multiple party reservations are subject to cancellation up to 3 weeks prior to the reservation to allow first-time reservations by other members. Contact the treasurer. Members shall arrange to have a certified lifeguard on duty (at their own expense) for the entire party time. If a pool party is anticipated to be more than 60 people attending, a second lifeguard is required for safety purposes. In addition, a parent or chaperone, 21 years of age or older, from the member family hosting the party shall always be present during the party. A $25.00 fee will be charged and must be paid prior to each party. Bands are required for every person attending a party. Bands can be checked out with a $2.00 per band deposit which will be refunded upon return. A $25.00 cleaning deposit must be paid by separate check, which will be refunded if cleanup is approved by the lifeguard or a member of the board. Party reservations shall not exclude facility use by other members nor interfere with adult swimming rights during adult swimming hours. Group size may be limited at the discretion of the board. Members will have priority over renters for a party.
V. POOL HOURS
7:00 AM to 10:00 PM - Pool open hours. The gates are always to be kept closed, including during pool parties, except when entering or exiting.
1:00 to 4:30 PM on weekdays - lifeguard hours. When no lifeguard is available due to illness or another emergency, a “NO LIFEGUARD ON DUTY” sign will be posted at the main pool entrance. Those under 13 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. (See paragraph VI.A)
Restricted Hours:
7:30 AM to 12:00 noon on weekdays – Swim classes will be scheduled by the swim instructor. Members have priority for these classes. Non-members may also be enrolled when openings exist. Grandchildren may take lessons at the member fee rate. A portion of the fee may be returned to the swim instructor as an incentive bonus at the discretion of the board. The pool area is restricted to swim class members and adults only during lesson times. To minimize disruptions, parents and siblings may observe from the picnic area.
6:30 AM to 7:00 AM and 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM on weekdays – Reserved for exercise swimmers only. Lap swimmers have priority.
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Tuesday and Thursday – Reserved for adult swimming. Lap swimmers have priority.
4:30 to 5:30 PM on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday – Swim Team (if there is a team). During swim team season only. The pool will also be reserved one Thursday evening during the season for a swim meet.
4:30 to 5:00 PM on Tuesday and Thursday – Pool deep end reserved for Diving Team Class, when offered.
VI. POOL POLICIES
A. Age and Guest Restrictions
Lifeguard Hours – Member children under age seven may enter the pool only when accompanied by a person 16 years of age or older. During lifeguard hours, guests are allowed in the pool only when accompanied by a member 18 years of age or older. However, a member between the age of 13 and 18 years may bring one (1) guest 13 years of age or older.
Non-lifeguard Hours – Children under 13 years of age entering the pool must be accompanied by an adult. Children between 13 and 18 years of age may swim without adult supervision only if accompanied by a proficient swimmer 13 years of age or older.
NO ONE UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE MAY SWIM ALONE.
Non-members may use the pool only when taking swimming lessons or as a guest of a member. The member shall accompany the non-member and be responsible for their conduct.
B. General Rules
All persons must take a cleansing shower before entering the pool and after each suntan cream or oil application before re-entering the pool. Shower time should be limited to one minute or less to conserve hot water.
Persons with contagious disorders or infections are prohibited from entering the pool.
People entering the water must wear swimsuits. Disposable diapers, blue jeans, cut-offs, gym shorts, etc. are not considered swimsuits. Bathing caps are not required.
Only proficient swimmers and adults are allowed in the deep end.
The lifeguard or monitor will decide what objects (toys, floats, boats, etc.) are allowed in the pool area.
The lifeguard or monitor is authorized to eject any person from the pool or tennis court area for violation of the rules or inappropriate conduct.
No pets, wheeled toys, skateboards, bicycles, or glass containers shall be allowed within the fenced area.
No rough playing will be permitted within the fenced area.
The life ring is for use ONLY during emergencies or life-saving classes.
Alcoholic beverages and use of tobacco products are not allowed within the Club property boundaries.
Individuals who are required to register as sex offenders are not permitted on the Garden Park Recreation Club premises.
C. Wading Pool
Wading pool use is limited to young children.
A cleansing shower is required before entering the wading pool.
Each child using the wading pool must be ACCOMPANIED AND SUPERVISED by an adult who is responsible for the child’s safety.
The lifeguard is not responsible for the wading pool area.
VII. POOL MONITOR DUTIES
A. Each member will be required to monitor the pool one night per year during the hours of 7:00 to 10:00 PM.
B. The monitoring night will be assigned by the board at least two weeks prior to opening day.
C. The pool monitor must be at least 21 years of age.
D. Each member is responsible for obtaining a substitute (must be from a membership owner or current membership renter) if they cannot perform these duties on their assigned night.
E. If the monitor is not at the pool by 7:30 PM, a Board member shall contact a substitute and the monitor will be billed $50 ($30 for the replacement monitor and a $20 fine).
F. Monitor Duties
Verify each person on the premises is wearing a band.
Enforce pool rules and regulations.
Report rule violations to the board member on duty. Call the offenders’ parents if necessary.
Pool lights must be on for night swimming after sunset.
No diving or loud activities after 9:30 PM. Place the “No Diving” cone on the diving board at 9:30 PM as a reminder.
During poor swimming weather, the monitor may close the pool as early as 9:30 PM with permission from the board member on duty.
Call the assigned board member for the week if severe difficulties arise.
Pool monitor shall contact the next night’s pool monitor to remind them of their duties.
G. Before leaving for the night
Install the night cover over the main pool. Please do not install it early, as some members arrive as late as 9:00 or 9:45 for a quick swim.
Remove the telephone from the wall and store it in the bathhouse.
Place the life ring and first aid kit in the bathhouse.
Lock the restroom doors.
Turn off all the lights.
Secure padlocks on both pool gates.
VIII. TENNIS/PICKLEBALL COURT POLICIES
A. Tennis or rubber-soled shoes must be worn while playing.
B. Adults shall have priority for tennis/pickleball court use after 5:00 PM.
C. At least one member must be present at each game.
D. If others are waiting, gameplay shall be limited to one set for singles and two sets for doubles.
E. Open play should be limited to less than 45 minutes.
F. The court is not to be used for any activity other than tennis/pickleball without the Board’s specific approval.
IX. PICNIC AREA POLICIES
A. The area may be reserved on a non-exclusive basis as explained in Section III.G.
B. Individual members using the picnic area are responsible for cleaning up after use.
Attachment – Definition and Use of Bands
Each household who purchases a membership will receive bands equal to the number of people in the household, plus five bands for guests.
Members who have visiting family or additional guests beyond the five extra bands may rent bands for up to two weeks at a time for $2 per band. This fee is nonrefundable and helps cover pool chemical costs.
After renting bands, members must wait two weeks before renting again.
Rental bands will be a different color or marked accordingly.
Failure to return rental bands on time will result in a $15 fine per band. Broken bands may be returned at no charge.
Bands worn outside the rental period are subject to immediate confiscation by a board member.
The secretary will maintain a list of current rentals and dates.
Bands are the property of Garden Park Recreation Club. When a membership is sold or rental ends, all bands must be returned. New owners will receive new bands. Renters must return all bands at the end of each year or face fines.