Policies & Guidelines

PRINCIPLE:

The Society maintains a commitment to keep Westshore residents happy and healthy both through direct mental and physical support, and through indirect management plans and practice.

West Shore Parks & Recreation Society (WSPRS) upholds a sustainable approach in all aspects of service to the community. Staff and management continue to determine and drive the technological change through financial commitment from our communities to update and innovate where needed for a more sustainable future.

POLICY:

West Shore Parks & Recreation will follow common trends and best practices by focusing on but not limited to these five key areas:

1. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions;
2. Reducing energy use;
3. Reducing waste generated;
4. Improving water efficiency; and
5. Greening the supply chain (i.e., asset and material management).

STRATEGY:

WSPRS recognizes development requires meeting the needs of today without compromising the needs of future generations; and improving the standard of living by protecting human health, conserving the environment, using resources efficiently and advancing long-term economic competitiveness. Best practices require integration of environmental, economic and social priorities into policies and programs and include:

• Waste reduction practices that encompass digital control of mechanical energy management for finer control over our  energy use.
• Recycling waste products from all service areas on site.
• Proper maintenance of programming and equipment to ensure efficient working order to make the most of our energy use.
• Implementation of best practice policy through education of our programs to the public. All users will be informed of our intent and asked to participate to help us attain our objectives when using our facility.
• Continuous support of initiatives and incentives that encourage sustainable practice, in-house and within the community.
• Purchasing green products to enhance our material management, giving preference to government and industry standard definitions.
• Defining policies to identify hazardous chemical use and safety measures to ensure their restricted impact on the area, including partnerships with regulatory and enforcement bodies who specialize in limiting environmental impact.
• Considering LEED standards and new technology geared toward a long-term sustainable approach during new builds and renovations, and giving preference to companies and suppliers with a waste management policy.
• Providing energy audits every four (4) years to new builds and renovations to determine success and uncover potential new avenues for energy savings and conservation.
• Establishing staff Initiatives that include education on best practice policy, and ensuring staff are integral and engaged.
• Conducting ongoing research; being receptive to feedback and accommodating change to stay current and ensure continuous improvement.

Striving to follow Canada’s lead to ensure that sustainability goals at WSPRS:

• Are aspirational;
• Take a long-term view;
• Address important challenges and problems;
• Remain attuned to environmental information, data and indicators;
• Encourage flexibility in the choice of strategies for achievement; and
• Reflect domestic and international priorities and commitments.

POLICY:

West Shore Parks & Recreation Society is committed to providing equity, diversity, and inclusion within its organization. This will be achieved through demonstrating and practicing the principals of access, participation and support. As an organization, we strive to ensure all people are able to participate to their full potential.
We recognize unique styles, perspectives, beliefs and creativity that support a diverse, respectful, inclusive and collaborative work in a community environment.
We recognize the unique status and cultural diversity of the indigenous communities and their right to self-determination.

DEFINITIONS:

1. Equity: Equity is about fairness. It is the process that removes barriers to ensure access to recreation, health and wellness, child care and employment opportunities. To maintain and enhance the quality of recreation programs and services at West Shore Parks & Recreation, and to ensure fairness, individuals or groups may at times need to be treated differently. Equity addresses the effects of colonization, economic and social disparity, and injustices against marginalized groups, and systemic barriers to access and participation.
2. Diversity: Diversity functions to affirm each individual's unique and varied histories, experiences, and ways of being, knowing, doing and relating. It is about being different and acknowledging and celebrating differences. Our experience and understanding of diversity strengthen us and supports the work we do at West Shore Parks & Recreation.
3. Inclusion: Inclusion is the process through which we build a community where the diversity of human experiences, perspectives, and identities are recognized and respected. Inclusion fosters belonging. It affords everyone the right to participate and strengthen the collective well-being of our communities.

GUIDELINES:

This policy is guided by the terms of reference set by the WSPRS inclusion committee. This policy is guided by the Principals of Inclusion focusing on the following areas access, participation and support. The scope of this policy is applied to the organization as a whole and led by the West Shore Parks & Recreation Inclusion Committee with a Terms of Reference.

Link to PRINICPLES OF INCLUSION within the Inclusion Policy

USE OF SUPPORT PERSONS:

We are committed to welcoming people with disabilities who are accompanied by a support person. These patrons are asked to apply for the Leisure Assistant Pass which will give their support person a free or reduced admission to the recreation centre. The Leisure Assistant Pass is for people with a permanent disability who, due to the disability, require accompaniment by a support person to assist with communication, mobility, personal/medical needs or access to goods, services or facilities, when accessing leisure activities. All drop-in programs and registered programs are included.

Terms of Use
Recognizing an individual may be independent in one environment and not in another, Leisure Assistant Passholders are expected to only use their passes at venues where assistance is required. Within each venue, persons with a disability and assistants are expected to stay together. Misuse or abuse of the pass could result in termination of it and its privileges.

PRINCIPLE:

WSPRS is committed to providing the inclusion of guide and service animals on its property and in facilities unless otherwise stated.
Guide and service dogs help people with disabilities avoid hazards or perform tasks. Guide dogs help people with visual impairments while service dogs help people with other kinds of disabilities such as hearing impairments and epilepsy.

POLICY:

A patron with a disability that is accompanied by a certified guide or service animal will be allowed access to all facilities on WSPR property that are open to the public unless otherwise excluded by the law. "No pet" policies do not apply to guide or service animals. Therapy and emotional support animals are not eligible for certification.
Patrons may be required to show their government-issued Guide Dog and Service Dog Certificate ID card at any time.

POOL

Guide/service animals are not allowed inside the pool, or within 6 feet of the pool. If there is a health and safety concern for another person, such as a severe allergy to the service animal, reasonable efforts will be made to meet the needs of all individuals including eliminating in-person contact or creating distance between the individuals.

PRINCIPLE:

This policy is designed to identify and ensure that permitted uses of the grounds and outdoor facilities at West Shore Parks & Recreation complex are followed by outside person and/or user groups.

POLICY:

The following is not permitted on WSPRS grounds:

• Bikes are not permitted outside of designated areas such as roadways and the velodrome.
• Off-leash pets; pets need to be leashed at all times.
• Camping and overnight parking of vehicles and RVs are not permitted.
• The use of drones and radio-controlled planes.
• * Slip n’ slide (unless authorized as part of WSPRS day camps and is supervised by WSPRS staff).
• * Ice blocking.
• * Tobogganing.

  * These activities may be permitted for use by individuals or user groups that can produce appropriate insurance sufficient to cover the activity, including naming West Shore Parks & Recreation Society as an additional insured party. WSPRS will not provide individuals or user groups with water to perform the slip n’ slide, ice blocking or similar activities.

The following is not permitted on WSPRS grounds unless the individual or user group books the space with the bookings department and provides the necessary insurance to cover the activity, including naming West Shore Parks & Recreation Society as an additional insured party.

• Non-WPSRS programs, such as bootcamps and safe driving courses.

DEFINITIONS:

Ice blocking - a large block of ice is used to sit on and slide down the hill on a path established by WSPR day camp staff. Kids sit on their towels and then on the ice blocks. They balance going feet first down the hill and use their feet as breaks.
Slip n’ slide - a long sheet of plastic is flanked and secured lengthwise down the hill. A garden hose or sprinkler is used to run water down the plastic in order for people to slide down the plastic.

PURPOSE:

The Society recognizes the need to ensure patron privacy with respect to videos, audio recordings and photography. This policy is designed to establish clear guidelines around the Society’s use of videos, audio recordings, and photography for marketing purposes, as well as public use of cameras within the Society’s facilities.

POLICY:

Photography and filming by WSPR patrons on WSPR property:

• Patrons may use cameras, video cameras or other photographic devices, including camera phones and PDAs (personal digital assistants), in any program or facility, providing that only children/patrons in their personal care are included in the photographs/videos.
• Every attempt should be made to limit or eliminate other patrons from being filmed in the background.
• When possible, patrons should be given time to move to another part of the facility if they do not wish to appear in a photograph.

The use of all photographic devices; cameras, video cameras, camera phones and PDAs are prohibited in all changerooms and washrooms in West Shore Parks & Recreation facilities.

Photography and filming by WSPR staff or representatives for Society business:

• Written consent must be obtained from all individuals being photographed/filmed by WSPR staff or contractors. Parental/guardian consent must be obtained in writing for all individuals under 18 years of age.
• Notices will be posted in relevant facilities advising patrons of planned professional photography prior to the session taking place.
• Consent must be verified prior to posting photos or videos on social media, or in printed publications.
• WSPR reserves the right to crop, alter, modify and combine photographs with other images, text, audio recordings and graphics.
• Completed photo release form, or parent/guardian authorization on a child’s emergency medical form are acceptable forms of written consent.

General Pool Guidelines:

• The use of cameras or recording equipment in change rooms is strictly prohibited
• Keep this a scent-free space and avoid perfumes and scented products
• Only water is permitted on the pool deck, no food or glass containers
• Use the lockers provided to keep personal items safe. Lockers are for day use only. Lockers will be emptied each night
• Those who are not toilet trained must wear a swim diaper, which may be purchased at reception
• In consideration of those waiting, use change areas efficiently
• Children under 7 years must be within arms’ reach of responsible person 16 years or older in all pool areas including change rooms
• Those 7 years and older must use the change room of their identified gender or the Universal change room
• Remove outside shoes before entering pool deck

Universal Changeroom

• This is a shared space. Please keep clothing/swim suit on in common areas.

Steam Room and Sauna

• Must be 16 years and older
• Recommended length of stay is 10 minutes
• Pregnant women and persons with medical conditions should consult a doctor before use
• Shower, drink water, and allow 5-10 minutes to cool down between uses
• If feeling unwell after use (dizziness, fatigue, nausea), report to staff immediately
• This is a scent-free space, avoid using perfumes and scented products

Hot Tub

• Children under 12 years must be supervised by a responsible person 16 years or older
• Recommended length of stay is 10 minutes
• Pregnant women and persons with medical conditions should consult a doctor before use
• Remove bathing caps prior to use and keep head out of the water to prevent overheating
• Shower, drink water, and allow 5-10 minutes to cool down between uses
• If feeling unwell after use (dizziness, fatigue, nausea), report to staff immediately

Big Waterslide

• Children under 7 years must be supervised by a responsible person 16 years or older at slide exit
• Sliders must be at least 48” to ride
• Walk slowly on stairs
• One person on the slide at a time
• Wait for the lifeguard’s signal before sliding
• Exit the slide chute quickly after your ride
  * Slide rules are set by the manufacturer

• Patrons 13-15 years of old must complete a Youth Weight Room orientation. Upon completion of this orientation, participants will receive a card they must bring with them to gain access to the Weight Room.

• Patrons 16 years and up are welcome at all times.

• Respect the privacy of others in the space when using cameras or recording equipment.  
  Use of cameras and recording equipment in change rooms is strictly prohibited
• Keep this a scent-free space and avoid perfumes and scented products
• No food or glass containers
• Use the lockers provided to keep personal items safe. Lockers are for day use only. Lockers will be emptied each night
• Use appropriate footwear. No open-toed or open-back shoes, sandals or work boots permitted
• Wear clean, appropriate exercise attire that covers chest and buttocks
• Use of collars on bars is mandatory
• Put weights and equipment away after use
• Bring a towel for personal use

• Clean, flat soled footwear only. Do not wear steel or aluminum tipped cleats
• No food or drink permitted except for water in closed top water bottles
• Do not spit or chew gum
• Only players, coaches, and training staff inside the Indoor Sports Complex
• This is a multi-use space, respect the other user groups using the facility
• As a courtesy to the next user group, allow 10 min. before the end of your booking to clean up equipment and vacate the facility

1. No person is permitted on the course unless they have paid green fees
2. Each player must have their own clubs
3. No refunds after green fees have been paid
4. Children 6-11 years + may play if they are accompanied by an adult
5. Children who are not golfing are not permitted on the course under any circumstances
6. Pets are not allowed
7. Replace divots and repair ball marks on the greens
8. Proceed to the next tee before marking score card
9. Keep up to the group in front of you
10. Play “ready golf”
11. Please allow faster players to play through
12. Twosomes may be joined up with other twosomes
13. No more than 4 players in a group unless the pro shop or marshal has given an exception
14. Please play one ball except for provisional balls, the course is not a practice range
15. No outside alcohol permitted – outside alcohol will be confiscated and you may be removed from the course with no refund

• Please DO NOT play hockey or lacrosse in the lobby or on the concourse. Please respect the building