FAQs
Why are there occupancy limits at Moody and Hume pools when there are no longer occupancy requirements related to COVID-19?
The occupancy limits are a direct result of a shortage of aquatics staff. This staff shortage is being experienced across Canada, and New Westminster is no exception.
The Health Protection Branch of BC requires pool operators to maintain a safe ratio of lifeguards to swimmers. In order to keep our pools open 7 days a week for extended hours, we have to spread our staffing resources across all operational hours. This means the occupancy limits are driven by the number of staff we can schedule.
As we continue to train and onboard new staff, we will be able to extend swim occupancies and swim program availability.
The survey does not provide an option for pre-booking swimming spots during some days/times (i.e. busy days), and offering drop-in swimming at other days/times. Why is this not an option?
In order to guide the public consistently to the same registration platform and reduce confusion, a blended approach that allows for pre-registration for individual swim sessions on high-traffic days/seasons and drop-in for individual swim sessions on low-traffic days/seasons is not an option at this time.
However, if the City decides to continue with the pre-registration system, drop-ins will be available if space is still available in a swim and a cashier is present to take payment.