The aquatics areas include the lap pool, dive pool, recreation pool, plunge pool, water slide and hot tub.

Policies are enforced for aquatics activities conducted in other parts of the building as well (e.g., pool decks, bleachers, dryland training room, meeting rooms). All individuals using the aquatics areas must be a member, pay the daily fee or be participating in a scheduled program.

Ages

Ages 7 and younger
A responsible patron aged 16 or older must remain in the water, within arm’s reach, at all times

Ages 8–11
A responsible patron aged 16 or older must be in the building at all times

Ages 12–17
May swim on their own during Open Rec Swim only. Exceptions are made for youth swimmers who want to lap swim; approval by the Aquatics Supervisor and successful completion of swim test required.

Ages 18 and older
May swim on their own during Adult Open Swim and Adult Lap Swim

Safety

• Follow lifeguard instructions at all times
• All swimmers must take a cleansing shower before entering the pool
• Any person who has or is suspected to have a communicable disease, nor those with open or infectious sores, is allowed to use the pool
• Proper swimwear required; street clothes are not allowed
• Children who are not potty trained must wear a swim diaper or swim pants with snug-fitting elastic at the legs and waist
• Only Coast Guard approved vests are allowed
• Running and horseplay is not allowed
• Spitting, spouting from the mouth and nose blowing are not allowed
• Return equipment and toys to their original locations
• Diving is permitted only in designated areas at designated times
• Follow designated times and pools for Lap Swim, Open Swim, Tot Time and water aerobics classes
• Do not walk behind water aerobics instructors during class
• Do not play on or place items on the chair lifts or lifeguard stands
• Pools and hot tub are inaccessible during cleaning and maintenance

Open Rec Swim

• May occur in the recreation pool and/or the dive pool
• Soft balls, noodles and other small pool toys are permitted
• Inner tubes, water wings and air mattresses are not allowed
• Face masks, fins, snorkels or kick boards are not allowed

Slide

• All slide users must be 48+ inches tall and successfully complete a swim test
• Running on deck or stairs is not allowed
• One person on the slide at a time
• Wearing goggles, life vests or flotation devices is not allowed
• Spinning or stopping while sliding is not allowed
• Leave plunge pool immediately

Tot Time

• For children aged 5 and younger and a responsible patron aged 16 or older
• May bring other children up to age 7

Open Lap Swim and Adult Open Swim

• Lap swim is for adults aged 18 and older and approved youth swimmers
• Lifeguard is not on duty; swim at your own risk
• Swim in designated lanes only
• Lanes are available on a first come, first served basis; swimmers in the same lane must circle swim
• Lap swimmers must exit the pool during the 10-minute transition time before water aerobics classes

Water Aerobics

• Pre-registration via online schedule or app is required
• Class participants may not enter the pool until the 10-minute transition time begins
• Only class participants may be in the pool while class is in session; no lap swimming, water walking or exercising on your own in the same pool as class
• Do not block access to stairs and ladders

Some areas of the Community Center are designated for members or renters only.

Common areas are accessible to nonmembers and visitors. Policies are enforced for activities conducted in all parts of the building, including common areas (lobby, café, lounge, restrooms, meeting rooms). All individuals using the members-only areas must be a member or pay the daily fee.

Ages

• All children 7 years of age and under must be supervised by a responsible patron age 16 or older at all times
• All children 8–11 years of age must have a responsible patron aged 16 or older in the building at all times
• Youth ages 12 and older may be in the building without accompaniment
• Exceptions are made if youth are attending a registered activity

Adult/Youth Gym

Fitness Floor, Group Fitness Classes

Hot Tub, Lap Swim

Open Gym, Open Skate

Open Swim

Play Structure

Safety

• Members must scan their membership card or Tivity card each time they enter the building
• Members and daily pass holders must let front desk staff know where in the building they are going
• Water bottles, individual beverages and snacks are allowed
• No coolers or glass containers
• No overnight storage of personal belongings
• The City of Eden Prairie, the Community Center and its staff are not responsible for items lost, stolen, left onsite or in a vehicle
• No unauthorized photography or videography at any time nor in any area of the building
• Businesses, vendors or individuals may not use City facilities, property or equipment for personal gain without staff approval
• Organized meetings, parties, gift opening and distributing cake/cupcakes are not allowed in common areas; rooms may be rented for meetings and parties

Early Closure

Staff shall have discretion to close the facility in case of a building emergency or inclement weather. This information is posted at edenprairie.org/CommunityCenter.

The fitness areas include the fitness floor, group exercise studios, dryland training room and the CAGE.

Policies are enforced for fitness activities conducted in other parts of the building as well (e.g., gymnasium, pools, meeting rooms). All individuals using the fitness areas must be a member, pay the daily fee or be participating in a scheduled program.

Ages

Ages 11 and younger
Not allowed in fitness areas, unless in a class designated for youth participants

Ages 12–13
May use fitness areas, including attending fitness classes, if all of the following condition are met:

• Has completed a youth equipment orientation
• Is accompanied and supervised by a responsible patron aged 18 or older
• Wears a designated youth wristband

Ages 14 and older
May use all fitness areas without accompaniment

Safety

• Fitness clothing and footwear required (i.e., no sandals, slides, Crocs, boots or bare feet)
• Food, gum and drinks other than water are not allowed
• Store personal items, including coats and bags, in locker room
• Talking on cellphones is not allowed

Equipment

This includes, but is not limited to, cardio and strength machines, free weights, individual equipment pieces in all fitness areas.

• Use equipment at your own risk
• Use and return machine and free weights with control; no slamming or dropping weights
• Allow others to use equipment between your sets
• Wipe off equipment before and after use
• Return equipment, including barbell plates, to their original locations

Group Fitness Classes

• Pre-registration via online schedule or app is required
• Classes have set maximum numbers based on formats, available equipment and safety
• Studio admittance after class has started and door has been closed is not allowed

Personal Training and Stretch Studio

• Members and non-members can purchase personal training and Stretch Studio sessions by filling out an informational packet and paying at the front desk
• Personal trainers not employed by the City of Eden Prairie may not conduct training sessions at the Community Center

The gym is used by many departments and groups.

General and department-specific policies will be enforced in the gymnasium and racquetball courts. All individuals using the gym or racquetball courts must be a member, pay the daily fee or be participating in a scheduled program.

Ages

Ages 11 and younger

• Can attend Open Gym, Open Pickleball or racquetball with responsible patron aged 16 or older
• Can attend Adult/Youth Gym with a responsible patron aged 21 or older

Ages 12–18

• Can attend Open Gym and Open Pickleball unaccompanied
• May attend racquetball and Adult/Youth Basketball with a responsible patron aged 21 or older

Ages 19 and older
Can attend Open Gym, Open Pickleball, Adult/Youth Gym, Adult Pick-up Basketball, Adult Pick-up Volleyball, pickleball and racquetball

Safety

• Follow designated times for Open Gym, Adult/Youth Basketball, Adult Pick-up Basketball, Adult Pick-up Volleyball, racquetball, pickleball, fitness classes and recreation programming
• Proper clothing (no “skins”) and footwear (sandals, slides, Crocs, boots or bare feet are not allowed) required
• Food, gum and drinks other than water are not allowed
• Dunking, slamming or hanging on rims or nets are not allowed
• Spitting and horseplay are not allowed

Equipment

• Personal basketball, volleyball, pickleball equipment, etc. is allowed
• A photo ID is accepted in exchange for Community Center equipment; borrowed equipment must be returned in the same condition in which it was borrowed
• Use balls and equipment in gymnasium only
• Ensure equipment (e.g., chairs, pickleball carts, nets, etc.) doesn’t prevent access to storage room entrance or block access to other equipment

Open Gym

• Members and non-members must wear a designated wristband
• Organized drills, pick-up games and full- or half-court competitive play is not allowed

Adult/Youth Gym

• Adults without youth must be ages 19 or older
• Adults with youth must be ages 21 or older
•  Adults must be actively supervising
• Organized drills, pick-up games and full- or half-court competitive play is not allowed

Pickleball

• Wipe down and return equipment to its original location

Racquetball Court

• Reservations required
• Racquetball during yoga classes is not allowed
• Wallyball is allowed during non-prime hours

Fitness Classes

• Pre-registration via online schedule is required
• Class participants may not enter the gym until the 15-minute transition time begins
• Wipe down and return equipment to its original location

The ice areas include three ice rinks, team rooms and off-ice shooting practice areas.

Policies are enforced for ice-related activities conducted in other parts of the building as well (e.g., the CAGE, locker rooms, meeting rooms). All individuals using the ice areas must be a member, pay the daily fee or be part of a scheduled activity, game or tournament.

Ages

Safety

• Participants may not take the ice until the resurfacer is off the ice and the doors are shut
• Payment is required before taking the ice
• Wristbands are required for both members and non-members, except during developmental hockey
• Participants must wear skates on the ice; no shoes or socks
• Food, gum and drinks other than water are not allowed
• Helmets are required for all youth ages 12 and younger during Kids Skate and Open Skate and for all youth ages 17 and younger when sticks and pucks are being used
• Locker room keys are given to an adult aged 18 or older in exchange for car keys

Open Skate and Kids Skate

• Kids Skate is for ages 3–11 with an adult; Open Skate is for all ages
• Helmets are required for all skaters ages 12 and younger
• “Skate helpers” are for young skaters who are unable to skate unassisted; available upon request
• All skaters must travel in the same direction
• Sitting on the boards or in player/penalty boxes is not allowed
• Horseplay and unsafe games is not allowed; throwing hockey gloves, hats, mittens, etc. is not allowed
• Practicing figure skating and ice dancing routines is not allowed
• Hockey drills and use of sticks and pucks is not allowed

Adult Open Skate

• All skaters must travel in the same direction
• Figure skating routines and jumps are only allowed if there is adequate space on the ice and 6 or fewer skaters; must be practiced in back corners
• Skate blades above knee height are only allowed with staff approval

Developmental Figure Skate

• Private lessons are allowed
  • Coaches/instructors do not have to pay, but may be fined if their skaters haven’t paid
  • Private coaches must have liability insurance and provide proof upon request
• Ice dancing routines, jumps and spins are allowed

Women’s, men’s and family locker rooms are available for members, daily pass holders, swim team members and figure skating/hockey team members.

Ages

• Children ages 3 and older are not allowed in opposite-sex locker rooms
• Patrons with children should use the family locker room

Safety

• Swimmers should use the wet locker rooms in the aquatics area
• Figure skaters and hockey players should use the locker rooms in the ice rink area
• The City of Eden Prairie and Community Center are not responsible for items that are lost, stolen or left unattended; lock clothing and valuables in a locker
• No overnight storage of personal items; items left overnight will be removed and put in lost and found
• Keep wet items in a locker or on benches; avoid placing them on carpeted areas
• Place a towel on the bench if sitting while undressed
• No running or horseplay
• No photography or videography at any time in the locker rooms

PlayCare areas include the PlayCare drop-in childcare room and Prairie Play Zone indoor play structure.

Policies are enforced for youth activities conducted in other parts of the building as well (e.g., gym, racquetball courts, lounge, pool).

Ages

Safety

• Guardians must follow sign-in and sign-out procedures; children may not be left without PlayCare staff present
• Children exhibiting symptoms of COVID or other illnesses in the past 24 hours (e.g., fever, diarrhea, vomiting, eye drainage, green nose discharge, unexplained lethargy, undiagnosed rash, etc.) are not allowed
• Prescription and over-the-counter medicines are not permitted nor able to be administered by staff; exceptions are made for emergency allergy medications or other special needs
• Food, gum and drinks other than water are not allowed
• Toys from home are not allowed

PlayCare

• A parent or guardian must remain in the building at all times
• Payment is made at the front desk prior to entering PlayCare; time is purchased in 1-, or 1.5- hour increments
• Parents will be asked to return to PlayCare if their child needs a diaper changed, has been crying for 15+ minutes, becomes ill, becomes injured or is disruptive
• Child will only be released to a parent/guardian or pre-authorized persons listed on registration form
• A $1-per-minute late pick-up fee will be charged after a 10-minute grace period

Prairie Play Zone Play Structure

• The indoor play structure is designed for children 9 years of age and under
• Children must be supervised by a responsible patron aged 16 or older
• Non-member children ages 2–11 years will be charged admission
• Food, gum and drinks other than water are not allowed
• Running and horseplay are not allowed
• Socks must be worn at all times; no shoes or bare feet

The health, safety and well-being of every patron using the Community Center is our primary objective.

Respect for the Eden Prairie Community Center staff, patrons and the facility is paramount.

Policy

Respect for Community Center staff, patrons, building and property is expected and will be enforced. The Community Center has a zero-tolerance policy with regard to negative participant conduct while onsite.

Community Center staff shall be the sole judges of what constitutes negative conduct and behavior, and they reserve the right to deny admission to anyone who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. Patrons who exhibit negative conduct, who are in possession of controlled or illegal substances or who are in possession of weapons or firearms will be temporarily or permanently expelled from the premises without refund. Community Center staff will involve the Eden Prairie Police Department, when necessary, to enforce this zero-tolerance policy.

Behavior

Negative conduct includes, but is not limited to:

• Rowdy, mischievous, disruptive or violent behavior
• Physical abuse
• Verbal abuse
• Name calling
• Profanity
• Fighting
• Threats
• Ignoring or refusing to comply with staff who are enforcing policies

Possession or use of controlled or illegal substances or paraphernalia

These substances and their paraphernalia are banned from the premises (building, grounds and parking lots):

• Alcohol*
• Cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco
• E-cigarettes, vape pens
• Cannabis in all forms
• All illegal and recreational drugs

*Alcohol may be served by a specified licensed liquor provider during permitted rental events.

Verbal Abuse

All members and staff are entitled to a safe and enjoyable experience at the Eden Prairie Community Center. We need the respectful participation of all these groups to provide that environment. Members are expected to be “good citizens” and display proper respect and civility toward one another while at the facility. Verbal abuse is speaking with the intent to demean, humiliate, blame, or threaten. This includes, but is not limited to, name calling, personal attacks, condescension, criticism aimed at the particular individual, degradation, manipulation, blame, accusations, blatantly ignoring staff enforcing building policy and refusing to comply, circular arguments or threatening a particular individual.

Each member and patron will be held to the Behavior Guidelines and progressive consequences below. Any patron who violates these guidelines will be subject to membership suspension or termination. Paying either a daily fee or membership dues, signing a Passport to Fun contract, signing a Silver Sneakers, Silver & Fit, Renew Active contract or simply visiting the facility as a guest — all are subject to this policy the moment they cross the threshold of the Community Center main entrance.

We realize each situation that arises is different, in both context and severity. While there will be an initial warning given when a verbally abusive situation arises, action will be taken swiftly if staff are not listened to, building policies are not followed or if the behavior continues or becomes a pattern. Likewise, even in isolated incidents patrons may be immediately removed depending on the severity and threat to safety. In cases of “he said-she said” situations, all parties may be removed from the facility. Staff will assess each situation fairly and in the best interest of both our staff and other patrons.

Progressive Consequences

Step 1: If no threat of immediate danger and if behavior is immediately discontinued, a verbal warning will be issued by staff.

Step 2: If after the warning, the behavior persists that day or in the days to follow, the member’s access will be suspended for two weeks. They will not be able to return without management’s authorization. Monthly fees will not be refunded.

Step 3: If the behavior continues after the member has been allowed back from their two-week suspension, membership will be immediately canceled for a minimum of one full calendar year. Depending upon the severity they may also be trespassed from the Community Center property. No refunds will be provided.

Depending upon severity, steps 1 or 2 may be deemed unrequired, and the consequence would immediately jump to Step 3. Likewise, staff will determine if an incident rises to the level where disciplinary action is warranted. Not every reported incident of verbal abuse may warrant disciplinary action. Any disciplinary action taken will stay between EPCC staff and the offender and not shared with the complainant.

Receipt of this Behavior Guidelines — Verbal Abuse policy is an official notice of the progressive consequences that the Eden Prairie Community Center will take.