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Pools

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1. How do I report an unsafe situation or suspicious behavior at the pool?

As in any emergency, if you see something that needs police, fire, or ambulance assistance please call 911 immediately. Otherwise, please report any unsafe situation or suspicious behavior immediately to the Aquatics Leadership representative at the pool. They will react accordingly and alert our full time staff as needed.  If you do not feel comfortable or confident directing your concern to the staff in person, or if your concern is related to the staff members themselves, please call Parks and Recreation at 281-210-3900.

2. Why do The Woodlands pools* have safety breaks every hour?

Safety breaks allow time (10 minutes at the end of each hour) for children under the age of 16 to take a break from swimming. This helps prevent fatigue in young swimmers, provides a break for water and food and is a good reminder to use the restroom. It allows the lifeguards staff to verify that everyone is able to exit the pool safely.

* Due to large number of people in the pool at the Rob Fleming Aquatic Center it is not feasible to hold safety breaks in allotted time, so Safety Breaks are not regularly conducted. Under the Lifeguard Program Coordinator’s direction, staff may occasionally call a break to conduct a safety (similar to a fire drill).

3. What is a "thunder break" and how long does it last?

A thunder break occurs when a staff member hears thunder and/or sees lightning from inside of the pool fence. The pool will close and all guests (lap swimmers included) will be asked to exit the pool and stay back at least 10 feet from the edge of the water. Lifeguards will get down from elevated stations.  

The pool will reopen no more than 30 minutes after the last thunder or lighting occurrence. If the skies are clear immediately after the thunder is heard (blue overhead with a storm nearby), the pool will reopen in less time— just 15 minutes after the last occurrence. In most cases guests will be allowed to remain on the deck while the storm passes. In extreme inclement weather (not including “shelter in place” orders) guest may be asked to entirely exit the facility for their own safety. These precautions are taken in accordance with American Red Cross lifeguard training procedures and follow guidelines set forth by the National Lightning Safety Institute.

4. Do the pools close if it’s raining, but not thundering?

Only in rare cases, the pools do not close for rain alone unless it rains hard enough that the bottom of the pool cannot be seen by the lifeguard staff. This precaution is taken in accordance with the American Red Cross lifeguard training procedures.

5. Will I receive a “Rain Check” if the pool closes after I have paid to enter?

Yes, but please keep the receipt you are given when you enter the pool. The receipt is the only way to verify when you entered and who you paid for on that day. They can bring the receipt to a member of the Aquatics Leadership team at the pool before leaving. The Leadership will mark the receipt with a “RAIN CHECK” stamp/ Leadership team members can answer any questions about the Rain Checks. Rain Checks are transferable between all Village pools expect Rob Fleming Aquatic Center. Rain Checks to the other 13 Village Pools cannot be redeemed at Rob Fleming due to the difference in admission fees.

6. What do I do if I want to bring a guest?

Guests may enter a Woodlands Township pool with either a daily pool pass or a punch card. Daily passes and punch cards can be purchased at the Rob Fleming Recreation Center and Bear Branch Recreation Center front desk or any pool with cash, check, or a credit card. You will be asked to show proof of residency in one of The Woodlands’ villages in order to receive resident discounted rates. Please visit our Pool Fees and Schedules page.   Pool Pass Procedures

Pool Pass Procedures

7. Do you take credit cards for daily passes?

Yes! We accept credit cards for daily passes, punch cards and season passes.

8. Where can I purchase season pool passes?

The Woodlands Township offers three options for purchasing or renewing a Season Pass:

1. Register online
2. Register in person at The Woodlands Township Recreation Center.
3. Register over the phone by calling 281-210-3950

9. How do you define or verify residency in The Woodlands?

A person is considered a resident of The Woodlands if they can show proof of residency in one of the Villages of The Woodlands. Proof of residency may be a current Texas ID with a valid address, or a current utility bill from a valid address with their name on it. New residents can even use finalized closing documents from their home purchase. Leadership staff strive to work positively with residents to verify residency. The pool staff have a copy of the latest street map published by The Woodlands Development Company.

A person is considered a resident of The Woodlands if they can show proof of residency in one of the Villages of The Woodlands. Proof of residency may be a current Texas ID with a valid address, or current utility bill from a valid address with their name on it. New residents can even use finalized closing documents from their home purchase. Leadership staffs strive to work positively with residents to verify residency. The pool staff has a copy of the latest street map published by The Woodlands Development Company.  Pool Pass Procedures

Pool Pass Procedures

10. I don’t plan on swimming (or) I am only watching my kids, meeting family, etc. Do I have to pay to enter the pool area?

Yes, everyone who enters the pool area must pay the daily fee or have a valid punch card or season pass.

11. Can I leave the pool and return the same day, or leave one pool and go to another in the same day?

Yes! But please keep your receipt. The receipt is the only way we can verify when you entered a pool and who paid for that day. A daily pass is good for the entire day and can be used at any pool location on the day of purchase, expect Rob Fleming Aquatic Center. Rob Fleming is not included due to the different entry fee.

12. How old must a child be to come into the pool alone?

To enter the pool facility without an adult, children age 11 or younger must be accompanied by someone at least 16 or older.

13. Can my child go off the diving board or main pool slide with a life jacket, or may I wait in the water to catch them?

No, the diving board s and main pool slides can only be used by those who can swim the entire length of the pool without assistance. In general, life jackets and other flotation devices are not allowed in the deep end of the pool for any reason. Parents should wait out of the water or at minimum outside of the dive well. (Swim tests may be required by the lifeguard staff.)

14. What are the requirements for using the baby pool?

No person taller than 48 inches is allowed in the baby pool unless they are actively supervising a small child or need to remain close to a supervising parent. All children 10 years and under must be accompanied by someone 16 years or older when using the baby pool. This includes the slide feature and will be enforced during safety breaks.

15. Can babies wear diapers in the pool?

In accordance with Texas Dept. of Health (TDH) guidelines, only diapers designed for swimming (such as Little Swimmers®) may be worn in the pool. Children who are not potty trained are encouraged to stay in the baby pool only.

16. Are the pools available for rental for private parties?

Yes! All 14 pools can be rented for private events, but only outside of pool’s regular hours. The pools cannot be reserved for private events during public pool hours. Pool rentals are available for any evening during the pool season. The rental fee is not the same for all pools; it is tiered and is based on the size of the facility and staffing requirements. Please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 281-210-3900 for reservation or more information. Pool Rental Information

Pool Rental Information

17. What is Red, Hot Pool Day?

Red Hot Pool Day is a part of the Township’s Fourth of July Celebration. Each pool is decorated by the Aquatic staff. The pools serve free snacks and refreshments until they run out. They also have games and activities for the children at each of the safety breaks from noon to 4 p.m. The pools will close at 6 p.m. to allow residents and staff to attend Red, Hot, Blue events.

18. How many lifeguards do you have and what certifications do they hold?

The Woodlands Township Parks and Recreation Department employs over 320 lifeguards each summer, with about 95 on duty at any given time. Every lifeguard is American Red Cross certified in Lifeguarding Waterfront lifeguarding, First Aid, CPR and Automated External Defibrillation (AED), BBP, and Oxygen Administration. All facilities have at least four (4) certified lifeguards on duty, including the Aquatics Leadership representative at the desk. Our larger pools have anywhere from seven to 18 lifeguards on duty, including the Aquatics Leadership representative. Rob Fleming Aquatics Center lifeguards also hold Waterpark certifications.

19. Are the lifeguards required to give me their name if I ask for it?

Staff members are required to wear Township-issued name tags that display at least their first name and last initial. If you have a concern about a staff member and are not readily able to get a name, please make note of the date, time, pool location, and a general description of the guard. Then call Parks and Recreation at 281-210-3900 so we can address your concern.

20. May I bring a cooler or food items into the pool?

Yes, but glass containers and alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited. Aquatics staff may ask to look inside the cooler to ensure the safety of all patrons at the facility. If anything prohibited is found, you will be asked to return the item(s) to your locked vehicle. Lifeguard staff are not allowed to “hold” items behind the counter.

21. Is alcohol permitted inside the pool facility?

No, all of our pools are alcohol free. The inherent risk of drinking alcohol in a swimming environment prohibits the consumption of alcohol in the pool area. In addition, Aquatics Leadership staff may ask visibly intoxicated or drug-impaired persons to leave the facility for their own safety as well as the safety of others. In rare cases, the Aquatics staff will call on Park Rangers or local law enforcement to assist.

22. Is smoking permitted inside the pool facility?

No, all of our pools are smoke-free areas. Ashtrays are conveniently located at the entrance to the pool facility and smoking should be done at least ten feet from the entry gate as a courtesy to those coming and going from the pool. This policy includes the use of electronic cigarettes, vaping, etc.

23. Do all pool facilities comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?

Yes! All of The Woodlands Township swimming facilities are ADA compliant. All facility entrances and parking lots are appropriately marked and graded. All pools have both a portable lift for entry to the water and hand rails at the pool entry steps. Please ask the lifeguard staff if assistance is needed and they will gladly accommodate.

24. What happens when there is a known bodily fluid incident in the pool?

Township Aquatics staff follow all Texas Dept. of Health (TDH) and Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for handling, controlling, and containing any and all bodily fluids. Depending on the amount, level of exposure, and type of fluid involved, the pool may be closed anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours. In these scenarios the required closure time begins as soon as the contamination is safely removed from the water. The most common occurrence is when a young swimmer has a brief nose bleed or minor ‘spit up’ event, and in those cases the chemicals already in the water will safely handle any reasonable exposure risks. If chemical levels are in question at all, the pool will be cleared.

In more extreme cases, the pool may be closed for 30 to 120 minutes while chemical adjustments are made and clean-up undertaken. The length of time depends on the chlorine residual in the water at the time of the incident.

In rare cases, a liquid fecal incident may cause the pool to be closed for the remainder of the day and possibly into the following day. The dangers of chlorine-resistant bacterial contamination take up to 13 hours to safely treat and may require further time afterward to completely clean-up.