Code of Conduct

Arena play standards

The following is not permitted on the ice in our arenas:

• Private lessons or coaching on the ice surface is strictly prohibited during drop-in programs
• Accessing ice during ice resurfacing or while the red beacon is lit
• Children 10 years of age or under unaccompanied by someone 14 years of age or older
• Children six years of age and under without a CSA approved hockey helmet
• Continuing play outside of permit start and end times or during required ice resurfacing
• Food and beverages other than water
• Use of hand held mobile devices
• Each skate time is subject to 10 minutes flood time.

Cricket Pitch standards

The following are the standards for playing cricket on the Central Park pitch.

• Batter must hit only from the south side of the pitch, as marked by the painted lines
• Boundary sixes (home runs) are not allowed. All hit balls must stay in play
• Players/teams found hitting boundary sixes will have their permit cancelled and asked to leave the pitch. Players could be liable for property damage or personal injury
• Lighter balls are strongly recommended
• Failure to keep balls in play could result in cricket being removed from the park

Field play standards

In an effort to help control and alleviate unnecessary and expensive repairs or maintenance to sports fields, the following conditions and criteria will be used to decide whether a field is unplayable:

• Puddles of water can be seen on the surface of the field or diamond
• Water sponging up around your feet on the field or diamond
• Snow on artificial turf fields

If either of these conditions exists, the playing field is considered unplayable and the practice/game will be cancelled and rescheduled. If fields are unplayable, all parties will be contacted and information will be posted online where available.

• If a group arrives at a field and these criteria exist, they are not to play. Reasons for not permitting play include safety of the participants, the possibility of liability through accident or injury, and the unnecessary expense of field/diamond repairs and maintenance.
• Groups using the fields when they are under these conditions will be responsible for the cost of repairs.
• City staff and/or coaches and referees can decide to close sport fields or cancel play to ensure the safety and playability of the fields if weather and/or field conditions change.

In the event of a cancellation, permit holders are responsible to pass any cancellation/closure information along to their participants.

Gym play standards

The following is not permitted in our gymnasiums:

• Exceeding permit start and end times or continuing to play during required facility setup and takedown times
• Food and beverages other than water
• Indoor shoes that mark floor surfaces
• Outside equipment that has not been approved for indoor use

Pools and water play standards

When using any of our pools or water play facilities, please:

• Do not use the pool if you are feeling ill or have experienced diarrhea in the past week
• Follow lifeguard and aquatic staff directions at all times
• Follow Ontario Health Regulation 565 requirements for public pools
• Put swim diapers on children who are not toilet trained
• Walk on the pool deck with clean footwear, not street shoes
• Wear appropriate, clean swimming attire

Supervision requirements for children include:

• Children six years of age and under, regardless of swim ability, must be directly supervised (within arms reach), at all times by a responsible person 14 years of age or older
• Children seven to ten years of age, regardless of swimming ability, must be accompanied in the facility and remain in visual contact by a responsible person 14 years of age or older. They must pass the facility swim test of two uninterrupted widths of the pool before they can swim without direct supervision
• One responsible person 14 years of age or older may assume responsibility for up to two swimmers
• Individuals with serious medical conditions are at a greater risk while swimming and should be accompanied by another individual knowledgeable of their condition who can supervise them

Our warming pool rules include:

• Children under seven years must be directly supervised
• Children seven years and older must meet admission criteria
• We recommend 10 minutes maximum in the warming pool

Children must meet the following criteria to ride waterslides:

• Tansley Woods Pool
  
  • Must be at least seven years of age
  • Must successfully complete the facility swim test
• Mountainside Pool
  • Must be at least seven years of age
  • Must be at least four feet (48") tall

Recreational hockey play standards

For all recreational hockey games, you must:

• Keep the game non-contact.
• Wear a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) approved hockey helmet and full equipment
• Wear a chest pad, goalie pads, a CSA approved hockey helmet with cage and have a blocker, trapper and hockey stick if you are a goalie (Goalies play for free, must be in full hockey equipment)

For Adult shinny games are limited to:

• 24 players and two goalies; first come, first served

For shinny 8-12, 13-18, 55+ and Shinny Women's 16+, games are limited to:

• 30 players and four goalies; first come, first served

Skating play standards

For all Sticks & Pucks programs, everyone must wear a CSA approved hockey helmet, even adults. Those 18 and under must have caged helmets.

Supervision requirements for children include:

• Children six years and under must wear a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) approved hockey helmet. Helmets with a face cage are recommended
• Children 10 years and under must be accompanied by someone 14 years or older who must maintain visual contact throughout the skate

Adult skaters are encouraged to:

• Bring a support person if you have a serious medical condition
• Wear a CSA approved hockey helmet

Voluntary acceptance of risk statement

By entering a City of Burlington facility and/or participating in any City of Burlington recreation programs or services (“Activities”), the participant, and/or the legal guardian of the participant (the “participant(s)”) agrees as follows.

1. Voluntary Participation

The participant(s) understands that their participation in the Activities is voluntary and that they may withdraw at any time. 

2. Acknowledgment of Risks 

The participant(s) is aware that participation in the Activities involves inherent and foreseeable risks, as well as unforeseeable hazards, including but not limited to:

• Physical or mental injury;
• Illness or disease (including communicable illnesses such as COVID-19);
• Death; and/or
• Damage or loss to personal property.

The participant(s) understand that these risks may arise from my own actions, the actions or negligence of others, or conditions of the facilities.

3. Safety Compliance 

The participant(s) agrees to follow all safety precautions, use appropriate protective equipment as directed, and comply with all City of Burlington by-laws, policies, and procedures. The participant(s) understands that failure to do so may result in removal from the facility and/or termination of participation.

4. Assumption of Risk 

The participant(s) knowingly, freely, and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with the Activities, both known and unknown, including those arising from the negligence of the City of Burlington, its employees, volunteers, or agents, except for gross negligence or willful misconduct.

5. Release and Waiver 

The participant(s) hereby waives, releases, holds harmless and discharges the City of Burlington, its elected officials, directors, officers, employees, volunteers, agents, executors, administrators, successors, assignees and representatives (collectively “the City”) from any and all claims, demands, actions, or causes of action for injury, illness, death, property damage, or loss arising out of or related, in any way whether directly or indirectly, to my participation in the Activities.

6. Covenant Not to Sue and Indemnity

The participant(s) agrees not to commence or maintain any action or claim against the City and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the City from any and all claims brought by third parties arising from my participation in the Activities.