Guidelines & Policies
Below you will find some important guidelines and policies for accessing Tees Active activities. We advise you to read these before visiting our venues and take part in any activities to ensure everyone can have a safe and enjoyable experience.
Due to the current pandemic we have amended some of our policies and procedures to ensure everyone’s safety during this time. Please visit our Welcome Back page to see these before you visit our venues.
General Activity Guidelines
- Tees Active has the right to refuse access if a person:
- Is known to be barred from using a Tees Active facility because of previous behaviour.
- Is under the influence of drugs, alcohol or any other substance that reduces either responsibility levels or physical ability.
- Is displaying tattoos or wearing clothing that contains language or images which would be regarded as racist, sexist, homophobic, or insulting about disability, age, or religion and belief.
- In the event of an emergency or the fire alarm sounding, please follow the instructions issued by staff and leave by the nearest fire exit.
- Children under 10 years should be supervised by a responsible adult at all times. This includes attendance at casual and coached sessions, but excludes Childcare Services.
- After 8pm children under the age of 12 will not be allowed into the facility unless accompanied by a responsible person (16 years+).
- Pay per visit customers, must pay their respective admission fee at reception for their activity before proceeding to participate in it.
- Please retain your ticket and be prepared to produce it upon request. If you are unable to produce your ticket, staff may need to seek clarification from reception/other staff to ensure admission for the activity in question has been paid for. Please do not be offended if you are asked to produce your ticket.
- Tees Active will withdraw access to all Tees Active Managed centre’s/facilities for a period up to 6 months to any customer found to be accessing the centre’s facilities and activities without making payments or allowing others to use their membership card. This will include withdrawal of their Activ8 induction/membership and other leisure cards if applicable, and Tees Active may not refund/cancel outstanding monies relating to their contract.
- Please follow the activity etiquette information and guidelines displayed around the centre at all times.
- Zero Tolerance Statement – “Our staff endeavour to provide the best service possible and this is appreciated by the majority of our customers. They have the right to work in a safe environment. Anyone who verbally or physically abuses a member of staff may be excluded from all Tees Active managed facilities and can expect to be dealt with by the Police and prosecuted where appropriate”.
- Designated carers of a registered disabled person attending this facility at the same time as the disabled person may be entitled to free entry. Please speak to a receptionist for full details.
- If you, your child or a person in your care are participating in a coached activity, please inform the receptionist at the time of enrolment if you, your child or the person in your care have a medical condition which may compromise your, their safety or that of other members of the session.
- The taking of video or still images, using equipment such as cameras, mobile phones and tablets is strictly forbidden without prior permission from the facility management team. Exceptions to this are during special events or sessions publicised as such.
- No dogs allowed, except Guide/Assistance Dogs but certain restrictions apply.
- In line with current legislation, all Tees Active managed facilities are smoke free buildings. Smoking is defined as the smoking of cigarettes, cigars and pipes. This also includes the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes).
- Only clothing and footwear appropriate to the activity you are participating must be worn at all times. Footwear should be clean and none marking, and not cause damage to the floor or playing surface.
- Valuables are left/stored at owner’s risk.
- Glass bottles/containers are not permitted in the Centre.
- Chewing gum is not permitted in the Centre
- All Tees Active venues are registered with Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme and welcome children to be breastfed in all public areas on the premises where there are no safety concerns i.e not taking part in a physical activity. Tees Active’s breastfeeding guidance is available upon request.
General Booking Policy
Booking
- Privilege members can book 8 days in advance, online, at the centre or by telephone. Leisure Card holders
can book 8 days in advance at the centre or by telephone and non members can book 7 days in advance at
the centre or by telephone.
Payment
- Activ8 members (for activities where payment is required), Leisure Card holders and non-members must
make payment for bookable activities at the time of booking.
Cancellation
- If you need to cancel your booking, you are required to give 24 hours notice. We understand on some
occasions emergencies arise and this is taken into account.
- Activ8 members can cancel bookings online, at the centre or by telephone.
- Leisure Card holders and non-members can cancel at the centre or by telephone.
- Customers that fail to give this period of notice will forfeit any payment, unless we are able to re-sell your
allocated activity/court. Should we re-sell your place, your payment will be transferred to another activity
of your choice.
- In the case of privilege members, where a customer is identified as failing to turn up on repeat occasions;
their booking privileges may be removed or restricted.
- It is your responsibility to prove your status and you are required to produce your swipe card at reception
EVERY VISIT.
- You MUST produce your card on every visit and should you repeatedly fail to do so you may be asked to
pay the non-member rate.
- You MUST give 24 hours notice to cancel bookable sessions if you are unable to attend.
- Our reception procedures ensure a fair approach, and are as follows:
Card Issues
- Yellow – If you forget your card (for whatever reason) you will be informed of needing to produce it every
visit. Admission will be permitted by Reception after checking your details; however, a note will be entered
onto your membership.
- Green – If you fail to produce your card on a second occasion then you will be reminded of the need to
produce your card every visit and that failure to do so will result in full payment being requested for future
visits. You will be reminded of the previous incidence already noted (in the last month only). Admission is
then permitted by Reception after checking your details and making appropriate notes on your data entry.
- Red – If you fail to produce your card on a third occasion; you will be reminded of the need to produce
your card, the previous incidences already noted (in last month only) and informed that you must pay for
this visit as per the information below.
- Where the Red warning note is made/has already been given, you will have to pay the non-member fee
for their activity. Alternatively, you can purchase a new card for £2.00.
- This procedure applies to pre-paid Activ8/Swimming memberships and Leisure Card holders (as discounts
apply).
Booking Cancellation
- Our cancellation policy for both pre-paid (monthly and annual members) and pay per visit users stipulates
that 24 hours notice must be given to cancel your place if you are unable to attend.
- We do encourage you to notify us after the required 24 hours notice period if you are unable to attend, as this may enable us to reallocate your place to another customer.
- If you are a pay-per-visit customer and we are able to resell your place, we can then transfer you to another
session and you would not be classified as a non-attendee. However, if we are unable to resell your place,
you forfeit your fee.
- If you are a monthly or annual member, we will enforce the “Three Strike Rule” – which will mean you have
to pay the member price (depending on activity) for one session, before you will be allowed/authorised to
book future classes within your membership status.
Swimming Guidelines
- No prams, pushchairs or wheelchairs allowed on the poolside without prior permission from the facility management team.
- Any child under the age of 8 years old regardless of their swimming ability MUST be supervised in the water at all times by a responsible person (aged 16 years +). Supervision is on the ratio of ONE adult for every TWO children (excluding lessons).
- Please inform the lifeguards if you have a medical condition that may compromise your safety or that of other swimmers before entering the pool.
- If you have experienced sickness or diarrhoea in the last 48 hours you should not enter the pool.
- Get to know the water depth and how/where the pool changes depth.
- Wear approved swimming aids such as armbands if you are a non-swimmer.
- Shower before you swim.
- Follow the rules and obey Safety Notices and the Lifeguards.
- Don’t leave children under the age of 8 years old alone in or around the water, including the changing rooms.
- Don’t swim out of your depth. Weak and non-swimmers regardless of age are restricted to designated safe areas of the swimming pool (weak swimmers are those unable to swim one length of the main pool).
- Don’t swim straight after drinking alcohol.
- Don’t fool about. Have fun but be aware that horseplay, ducking and bombing can be dangerous.
- No facemasks, snorkels, flippers or hand paddles to be worn during public swimming sessions.
- No glass facemasks to be worn in the pool at any time.
- Appropriate swimwear must be worn at all times, it must provide appropriate cover and be suitable for swimming; shorts should have a mesh lining and be cut above the knee.
- Babies must wear a swim nappy (available for purchase from our reception).
- Please follow the Swimming Etiquette information/guidelines displayed around the pool areas at all times.
- Wear the blue overshoes provided as outdoor footwear is prohibited on the poolside.
Ice Arena Guidelines
- Children under the age of 5 must be accompanied on the ice at all times by a responsible
person.
- For comfort and safety, please wear warm clothing and gloves.
- Before stepping onto the ice, please check your boots are fastened properly and any excess lace is tucked safety inside the boot and that any blade guards are removed.
- Skaters must always skate anti-clockwise around the rink.
- Keep to the outside of the rink if you’re a beginner.
- Listen to and abide by any instructions issued by the Ice Arena staff.
- Watch where you are going.
- Look behind you before you stop/when practising backward movements.
- Don’t skate at excessive speeds.
- Don’t skate in chains of three or more people.
- Don’t carry anyone on the ice.
- Don’t sit on or climb over the barrier.
- Don’t chip, throw or spray ice.
- Don’t eat or drink on the ice.
- Don’t drop litter on the ice.
- Don’t listen to music through personal head/ear phones when on the ice.
- Do not hang off the glass barrier sections.
Activ8 Health & Fitness Guidelines
- It is essential that your class instructor be made aware of any health issues that may affect your workout, including pregnancy. Please refer to our Health Commitment Statement and Health Guidance.
- Where customers allow other customers to use their membership cards to gain access or assists others to gain unauthorised entry to the gym, Tees Active will withdraw or suspend membership for a period up to 6 months, AND MAY NOT REFUND/CANCEL OUTSTANDING MONIES RELATING TO THEIR CONTRACT.
- Prepaid and Pay per visit customers must register and make payment at reception for ticketed classes to ensure there are sufficient places and must register to acknowledge their arrival for bookable classes which have been paid for. This is also required to ensure that your membership is valid prior to accessing the class.
- Please follow the Class Etiquette information/guidelines displayed around the facility at all times.
- Spectators are not permitted in the gym or any fitness class.
- Class participants must try to check in at least 5 minutes before the start of their class.
- Class participants are not permitted to be more than 5 minutes late for the start of the class as you will have missed the warm up, which is an essential part of the class to allow you to exercise correctly and safely throughout the rest of the class.
- You may be refused admission if you do not arrive in time for a sufficient warm up.
- Please note that unfortunately due to insurance issues it is not possible for children to wait in or around the classes whilst parents/guardians exercise.
- Mobile Phones MUST be placed on silent mode or turned off throughout the duration of the class, and in line with our photo policy must not be used to take images without prior permission from the facility management team. Exceptions to this are during special events or sessions publicised as such.
Playbarn Guidelines
- Only children who are under 4’10” or 148cm in height may use the PlayBarn.
- Recommended age: 8 years and under.
- All children must be accompanied by a supervising adult at all times and remain the responsibility of their parent or guardian at all times.
- Children should use the toilet and wash their hands before entering the play area.
- All badges and jewellery to be removed and left with parents/guardians. Spectacles should only be worn if used with a retainer strap and have shatter proof lenses.
- Clothes with ropes and cords should not be worn in the play area. No sharp objects should be taken into the play area.
- Please remove shoes before entering the play area. Socks must be worn at all times whilst on the play equipment.
- Please do not climb up the slide.
- Please do not play in front of the slide exit.
- It is forbidden to climb on the netted walls or the system structure.
- Fighting or bullying will not be tolerated. Guilty parties may be asked to leave.
- No food, drinks or chewing gum should be taken into the play area.
- Children who are unwell should not enter the play area.
- Balls or other objects should not be thrown at each other.
- In case of a problem, contact a member of staff.
Soft Play Guidelines
- To ensure you have a safe and enjoyable visit please follow our safe rules of play.
- All children must be accompanied by a supervising adult at all times and remain the responsibility of their parent or guardian at all times.
- Children should use the toilet and wash their hands before entering the play area.
- All badges and jewellery to be removed and left with parents/guardians. Spectacles should only be worn if used with a retainer strap and have shatter proof lenses.
- Clothes with ropes and cords should not be worn in the play area. No sharp objects should be taken on to the play area.
- Please ensure that all footwear (excluding socks) is removed before allowing children onto the activity area.
- The maximum number of children on the soft play should not exceed 30.
- Children should be evenly distributed between the play area and the inflatable, to allow room to play safely.
- For parties/groups, a minimum of 2 Adults will be required to supervise the inflatable.
- Larger more boisterous children should be segregated from smaller ones.
- No one may use the inflatable if they are taller than the outside walls.
- Do not allow anyone to bounce on the front apron, step, climb or hang on the internal walls of the inflatable.
- Do not allow children to climb on or over the walls of the inflatable surround.
- Rough horse play including throwing equipment should be discouraged.
- Fighting or bullying will not be tolerated. Guilty parties may be asked to leave.
- No food, drink or chewing gum to be consumed within the soft play area.
- Children who are unwell should not enter the play area.
- No pushchairs allowed in the soft play area due to health & safety.
Bowls Guidelines
- Dress code for competitive games (i.e. League games and Competitions).
- MEN
– Grey Trousers (Not Corduroys or Jeans).
– Plain White Shirt.
– Brown, White or Grey Bowling Shoes.
- LADIES
– Grey Skirt.
– Grey Tailored Trousers.
– Brown, White or Grey Bowling Shoes or approved Sandals
- Dress Code for non-competitive games
– Players do not have to comply with the dress code for competitive games.
– Players may wear casual clothes for roll-up’s and practice sessions
- Be conversant with both the “Laws of the Game” and “Club Rules” and observe them.
- Respect the decision of the umpire.
- Be punctual and correctly attired for all games in order to commence play on time.
- Keep quiet and refrain from moving when players are on the mat (Law 49).
- Stand behind the mat while your opponent bowls (Law 50).
- Always stand still at the head when a player is about to bowl – movement at the head or talking at the end of the mat can be very distracting.
- Always allow your opponent the right to the head, as spelt out in the “Laws of the Game”, failure to do so decreases the enjoyment of the game (Law 49).
- When changing ends, walk close to the centre of the rink with the minimum of delay or you could distract the players on the next rink.
- Do not delay play – always play your bowling with the minimum of delay.
- Never play your bowl before the previous bowl has come to rest.
- Keep track of play and be ready to bowl when it is your turn.
- Every player at the mat end must assist in collecting the bowls when the end is over.
- Always pay the skip the respect of waiting for his/her decision. Do not step onto the mat and indicate which way you intend to play – wait for the skip’s instructions.
- Never applaud “lucky” bowls – accept them graciously.
- Never complain about “lucky” bowls – they tend to equal each other out aver the session.
- Respect the rinks surface at all times. DO NOT:-
- Drop bowls onto the surface
- Stand on the edge of the rink
- Stand on the bank
- Walk in the ditches
- Run on the rink
- Always inform your opponent if you wish to leave the rink.
- If you lose, be a GOOD loser – don’t blame your loss on people, the rink, weather, bowls etc.
- Win or lose, always shake hands with your opponent and thank them for the game. Don’t be taken with your win today, the position could be reversed tomorrow.
- Offer your opponent a drink after the game.
- When playing singles, whether you have won or lost, be sure to thank the marker and offer a drink. Remember that they have given up their own time to assist in your game. You can repay him or her by being courteous.
- It is polite to thank the umpire of the day before leaving the club.
- Learn to be a good marker. When offering your services remember that the marker can make or break a game.
- When not playing, take, care not to walk across the end of rinks when players are on the mat about to deliver, movement can be very distracting.
Inflatable Swim Guidelines
- Swim/move away from the inflatable immediately when you fall off.
- You must not try and jump back on the inflatable once you have fallen off.
- Under 16’s only are allowed on the inflatable.
- Armband users wishing to use the inflatable must be accompanied by an adult walking alongside the inflatable to assist the user.
- No pushing other users off the inflatable.
- Do not swim underneath the inflatable.
- Do not come within a metre of either side of the inflatable if you are not swimming and not using the inflatable.
- Users must wait by the red arrow until the lifeguard tells them it is safe to go.
- In addition to the normal under 8’s in the water supervision guideline of 1 adult to 2 children’ regardless of age or ability, inflatable pool parties MUST have an in the water supervision ratio of 1:15 (1 Adult to 15 Children).
- All weak/non swimmers MUST wear armbands at all times. A weak swimmer is defined as someone who CAN NOT swim 25 metres unaided or without stopping.