Facilities Policies

Table of Contents

Recreation and Fitness Centers Policies (SWRC & SRFC)

General Policies of the Recreation and Fitness Centers

  1. 1. In accordance with the University’s Tobacco-Free policy, the use of any tobacco products is prohibited in and around the recreation and fitness centers.
  2. 2. Food is not allowed beyond the access control point in the recreation and fitness centers.
  3. 3. The Department of Recreational Sports allows the admittance and use of non-alcoholic beverages in only spill-proof, break-resistant containers within all Recreational Sports facilities.
  4. 4. Non-marking athletic shoes must be worn in the activity areas. Examples of prohibited shoes include, but are not limited to, cleats, sandals, stocking feet, and/or hard soled shoes.
  5. 5. Martial arts clubs and group fitness classes may obtain prior approval from an Associate Director, or designee, to have bare feet in activity areas.
  6. 6. Shirts must be worn at all times in all public areas.
  7. 7. Mopeds, bicycles, and electric scooters are not allowed inside the recreation and fitness centers.
  8. 8. Skateboards, roller-skates, rollerblades, and non-electric scooters are not allowed to be operated in the recreation and fitness centers under any circumstances.
  9. 9. Hoverboards, including electronic skateboards, self-balancing boards, and other similar equipment, may not be stored, operated, or possessed at or within any Recreational Sports facility.
  10. 10. Chewing gum is not allowed in the activity areas.
  11. 11. Pets, with the exception of service animals, are not allowed.
  12. 12. Disorderly conduct, abuse of the facility, equipment, or staff and/or disregard for the recreation and fitness centers’ policies will result in immediate dismissal from the facility. Additional sanctions may include: disciplinary action, reimbursement for damages, and/or potential suspension from the facilities and programs.
  13. 13. A user asked to leave by the staff will not be refunded any paid charges.
  14. 14. RecSports is not responsible for items left unattended and/or lost or stolen items.

Activity Room Policies

  1. 1. Personal items such as backpacks are not allowed in the rooms unless placed in designated storage units, except during Sport Club practices. RecSports is not responsible for lost or stolen property.
  2. 2. Priority for use of the activity rooms is given to RecSports programs and student organization reservations. Activity Room 3 in Southwest Recreation Center is available for informal recreation use.
  3. 3. Wrestling, tatami mats, and stretching mats may only be used during RecSports sponsored activities.
  4. 4. Equipment provided in a group fitness class (hand weights, tubing, rubber bands, etc.) may not be taken out of the room in which the class is being held.
  5. 5. Personal hand weights are not allowed.
  6. 6. Activity room A/V equipment may only be used/changed by RecSports staff. Student organizations with a reservation must provide their own A/V equipment.
  7. 7. There should be no food or drinks in the activity rooms with the exception of a personal water bottle.
  8. 8. If equipment or audio systems are damaged due to improper use, you may be charged an equipment fee.

Strength and Conditioning/Cardio Room Policies

  1. 1. Users are required to wipe down equipment after each use.
  2. 2. Sandals, flip-flops, open-toed or open-heeled shoes of any kind are not allowed. Shoes and a shirt must be worn at all times.
  3. 3. Lifting chalk may be used at the Southwest Recreation Center in the designated Olympic Lifting area only.
  4. 4. Olympic Lifting (i.e. snatch and clean & jerk) is permitted at the Southwest Recreation Center in the designated area upon fulfilling specified requirements determined by RecSports.
    1. a. Olympic Lifting Workshops have been approved for the Beginner and Intermediate level, six times per semester, to educate patrons on proper technique for executing the clean, jerk, and snatch lifts, utilizing USA-Weightlifting (USAW) techniques.
  5. 5. Each participant is only allowed to have one set of dumbbells off the rack at a time.
  6. 6. Equipment may not be altered or removed from the rooms, unless under the direction of a uniformed RecSports Personal Trainer.
  7. 7. Removal of signage is not allowed.
  8. 8. Personal items such as backpacks are not allowed in the rooms unless placed in designated storage units. RecSports is not responsible for lost or stolen property.
  9. 9. Collars must be used on all free bar lifts with plates.
  10. 10. There is a 30-minute limit on all cardiovascular equipment when someone is waiting.
  11. 11. Users are to abide by all staff requests.
  12. 12. Personal radios are not allowed in the recreation and fitness centers unless used with headphones.
  13. 13. Personal training or private instruction at any RecSports facility is restricted to those individuals who are specifically employed by RecSports for this purpose. No solicitation is allowed.

Multi-Purpose Court Policies

  1. 1. Hanging on the basketball rims or nets is not allowed. Dunking is not permitted in the Student Recreation and Fitness Center but may be safely performed at the Southwest Recreation Center.
  2. 2. Non-marking athletic shoes are required.
  3. 3. Throwing objects, including balls, against the walls, bleachers, and lights is not allowed.
  4. 4. RecSports is not responsible for items left unattended and/or lost or stolen items.

Indoor Track Policies

  1. 1. Users must follow signage for proper direction of traffic.
  2. 2. No more than two runners or walkers side by side. Inside lanes are designated for walking; outside lanes are designated for running/jogging.
  3. 3. Stretching is not allowed on the track. Sitting, leaning or stretching on the railing is not allowed.
  4. 4. Spike shoes, turf shoes, boots, sandals, and open-toed shoes are not allowed.
  5. 5. Wheeled devices are not allowed on the track, with the exception of ADA designated assistance devices.

Social Lounge Policies

  1. 1. Reservation of space in the social lounge is restricted to RecSports events.
  2. 2. Tabling, individual, or group solicitation is not allowed in the space.
  3. 3. Television and Radio programming may only be adjusted by RecSports staff.
  4. 4. Personal items may not obstruct the walkways. Users must move any item obstructing walkways at the request of staff; this includes laptop cords and bags.
  5. 5. Headphones are required for all audio devices brought in by users in this space.
  6. 6. Use of computer kiosks is limited to 15 minutes if others are waiting.
  7. 7. Use of both kiosks and personal laptops must follow guidelines outlined by the University of Florida’s Acceptable Use of Computing Resources Policy.
  8. 8. RecSports is not responsible for items left unattended and/or lost or stolen items.
  9. 9. Users are responsible for attempting to intervene and/or reporting any incidents of vandalism, destruction of property, or misuse of equipment.

Racquet Court Policies
General Policies

  1. 1. Non-marking athletic shoes are required.
  2. 2. Racquetball and paddleball racquets must have a wrist strap which must be used at all times.
  3. 3. Only racquetball, handball, paddleball, and wallyball are allowed on the racquetball courts.
  4. 4. Squash is the only activity allowed on the squash courts. No racquetball is allowed.
  5. 5. No more than eight people can be on a court playing wallyball.

Protective Eyewear Policies

  1. 1. Lensed eyewear designed for racquet sports is required for all racquetball, squash, paddleball, and handball players. The protective eyewear must be worn as designed and may not be altered. Players who require corrective eyewear also must wear lensed eyewear designed for racquet sports. Protective eyewear can be checked out in either building.
  2. 2. If a player is not wearing the protective eyewear properly, all players on that court will immediately lose their racquet sport privileges for that day.

Reservation Policies

  1. 1. Racquet courts are scheduled on the hour and reservations are taken in person at the lobby desk or by calling SWRC at (352) 846-1081 x32445 or by calling SRFC at (352) 273-2400 during operation hours.
  2. 2. Courts can be reserved no earlier than the previous day.
  3. 3. Reservations will be taken alternately between those who walk-in and call-in, if there is a line.
  4. 4. An individual must indicate his/her first and last name, phone number, and partner’s name when reserving a court.
  5. 5. An individual can reserve one court for one hour per day. The partner of someone who has made a reservation cannot reserve a court for that day.

Check-In Policies

  1. 1. Users are allowed to check in with their partner up to five minutes after the hour. If they or their partner do not check in, the next team from the waiting list will be given the court. One person cannot hold a court. One person can play on a court only if no one on the waiting list desires to play.
  2. 2. Individuals who reserve a court can cancel the reservation up to two hours prior to the reserved time without penalty.
  3. 3. Individuals who do not check-in, or do not cancel within the time period indicated

Equipment Checkout Policies

  1. 1. Only UF students, faculty, staff, and members of the recreation and fitness centers may check out equipment.
  2. 2. To check in/out equipment for outdoor use you must present your Gator 1 Card.
  3. 3. All indoor equipment must be returned by close of the facility each day. All outdoor equipment must be returned by close of the facility the next day.
  4. 4. Equipment is checked out on a first come, first served basis and may not be reserved.
  5. 5. If the equipment is not returned within two weeks of being checked out, the equipment will be considered lost and the individual must pay the established replacement cost.
  6. 6. Users will be charged for damaged equipment.
  7. 7. Users that have not returned equipment and/or paid the applicable charge cannot check out equipment or use the facilities. A non-student will have his/her membership suspended (without a refund) until financial restitution is made.

Locker, Locker Room, and Rest Room Policies

  1. 1. The lockers in the locker rooms are available for daily use only.
  2. 2. Items left in a locker overnight will be removed and held for no more than one week.
  3. 3. Photographic devices may not be used in the locker rooms and restrooms.

Plaza and Lobby Policies

  1. 1. University recognized student organizations and departments must obtain approval through the RecSports reservation process to table in these areas in front of the Southwest Recreation Center.
  2. 2. Vehicles may not be parked in the plaza, including mopeds.
  3. 3. Bicycles must be parked in bike racks.
  4. 4. Skating and skate boarding are not allowed in the plaza.
  5. 5. Users must provide their own tables and chairs, and must remain in their assigned area to prevent blocking the flow of traffic.
  6. 6. Amplified sound is not allowed.
  7. 7. Use of tobacco products is not allowed.
  8. 8. Animals may not be left unattended in the plaza. Animals are not allowed in the lobby.
  9. 9. Chalking or posting of any advertisements is not allowed.

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On-Campus Outdoor Fields & Facilities Policies

(Lake Alice Field, Flavet Field ,Maguire Field & Bootcamp Pit, Hume Field, Norman Field, Southwest Field, Southwest Softball Complex, Southwest Tennis Courts, & University Village South (UVS))

General Policies

  1. 1. Only University of Florida students, faculty, staff, and their spouses are authorized to use this facility.
    1. a. Authorized users must be prepared to present their valid Gator 1 Card.
  2. 2. A valid Gator 1 Card Holder may bring one guest.
    1. a. Gator 1 Card Holder is responsible for their guest’s actions and must accompany the guest at all times.
  3. 3. Gator 1 Cards may be checked at any time and those not in compliance with this policy are subject to immediate removal.
  4. 4. Pets (except service-related animals), alcohol, glass containers, tobacco products, motorized vehicles, bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards, and weapons are not allowed.

Area Specific General Policies
Southwest Softball Complex Policies

  1. 1. Warm up is allowed in the outfields and/or between fields 1 &2 and 2 & 3 only.
  2. 2. Warm-up is not allowed in the infields and/or between fields 3 & 4 and 1 & 4.
  3. 3. Soft-toss is not permitted against fences.
  4. 4. All bicycle must be stored at the bicycle rack.

University Village South (UVS) Policies

  1. 1. Food and drink are permitted in the covered picnic area only.

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Campus Pools Policies

Florida Pool Policies

  1. 1. To access the Florida Pool, students, faculty, and staff must present their own, valid Gator 1 Card or enter their UFID number in the keypad.
  2. 2. Swimming permitted only when lifeguard is on duty.
  3. 3. Individuals must shower before entering pool.
  4. 4. Proper swimming attire must be worn at all times.
  5. 5. No long distance underwater swimming, hypoxic training, or extended breath holding allowed.
  6. 6. No rough play or hanging on lane lines is allowed.
  7. 7. Animals, with the exception of service animals, are not allowed in the pool areas. No animals are permitted in the pool at any time.
  8. 8. No glass allowed in the pool or pool areas.
  9. 9. No food allowed in or near pool.
  10. 10. Do not swallow the pool water.
  11. 11. Diving allowed in water of 9’ depth or greater only.
  12. 12. Bicycles and scooters are not allowed within the pool areas or entryway
  13. 13. Individuals with open wounds, infectious, or communicable diseases may not swim.
  14. 14. Individuals under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs are not allowed in the pool areas.
  15. 15. Disorderly conduct, abuse of the facility, equipment, or staff and/or disregard for Recreational Sports policies will result in immediate dismissal from the facility. Additional sanctions may include: disciplinary action, reimbursement for damages, and/or potential suspension from the facilities and programs.
  16. 16. An individual asked to leave by RecSports staff will not be refunded any paid charges.
  17. 17. Pictures of the pool and pool area may not be taken without prior approval from the Public Relations Information Request Form.

Graham Pool Policies

  1. 1. To access the Graham Pool, all guests must be sponsored by an eligible student, faculty, staff, or spouse/partner with a valid Gator 1 card.
  2. 2. Guests must sign in the pool Guest Book. All guests 18 years or older must show a government issued picture identification.
  3. 3. Sponsors must accompany guests at all times and are responsible for their conduct and actions.
  4. 4. Individuals seeking admittance to the pools may not solicit members to sponsor them as a guest.
  5. 5. Sponsors are limited to four guests per day at the Graham Pool. Guest visits per semester are not limited at the Graham Pool.
  6. 6. Requests for extended passes must be emailed to aquatics@recsports.ufl.edu and include name of guest, reason for the request, days guest will be present, sponsors name, and UF ID number.
  7. 7. Guests cannot participate in Sport Clubs practices, Swim Instruction, or Fitness Classes at the Graham Pool.
  8. 8. Pictures of the pool and pool area may not be taken without prior approval from the Public Relations Information Request Form.

O’Connell Center Pool Policies
University of Florida students, faculty, staff, and their spouses are invited to use the facilities of the O’Connell Center. In order to use the facilities, users must present a University of Florida Gator One Card. This includes all participants in any class or club activity as well as the use of the pool and jogging areas.

Special guests for Recreation programs may obtain a Guest Pass from the Department of Recreational Sports. Information on guest passes may be found at the RecSports Policy Page.

Please note that all recreational facilities in the O’Connell Center may be closed on University recognized holidays, during academic breaks, and whenever there is a ticketed or special event. Refer to the O’Connell Center weekly calendar for specific times and dates.

  1. 1. Pool use is limited to the UF swim team, registered UF classes, the Gator Swim Club program, and recreational swimming. Any exceptions must be approved by the O’Connell Center Director or his/her designee. Additional information about who may use the pool and how to obtain a guest pass are located here.
  2. 2. Swimmers may enter the pool area only when a lifeguard is on duty.
  3. 3. Swimmers must shower before entering the pool.
  4. 4. Eating, drinking, and smoking are not permitted in the pool or on the pool deck.
  5. 5. Inappropriate behavior is prohibited in the pool and pool area.
  6. 6. Animals are prohibited in the pool and pool area.
  7. 7. Recreational swimmers must sign in and present a University of Florida Gator One Card to the lifeguards.
  8. 8. Swimmers may enter and exit through the men’s or women’s locker rooms. If there is a special event, all entry and exit will be through the pool deck glass door, located at Gate 3 adjacent to the Bill Harlan Swim Team Meeting Facility.
  9. 9. Scuba gear is prohibited in the pool, unless approved in writing by the O’Connell Center Director or his/her designee.
  10. 10. Swimming between the bulkheads is not permitted.
  11. 11. Only members of the University of Florida’s Swimming and Diving team (under proper supervision of the UF Coaching staff) are permitted to dive from the diving boards or the 5 and 10 meter platforms. No diving is allowed when both bulkheads are positioned under the boards and diving is allowed only when the lane ropes and backstroke flags are removed.
  12. 12. The University Athletic Association diving team practice is not allowed during classes or recreational swimming hours unless approved through UF RecSports
  13. 13. Bathing suits must be worn by all swimmers. Shorts of any kind are prohibited in the pool.
  14. 14. Swimmers in the lane must be notified and moved before the lane line is removed and the lane is opened for the use of divers.
  15. 15. Pool capacity for swimmers is 229 and the pool deck’s capacity is 435.
  16. 16. Recreational hours are administered by the Department of Recreational Sports and funded by Student Government.

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Lake Wauburg Policies

General Policies

  1. 1. In accordance with the University’s Tobacco-Free policy, the use of any tobacco products is prohibited.
  2. 2. Only valid Gator 1 cardholders may check out equipment.
  3. 3. Alcohol is not permitted.
  4. 4. Pets, with the exception of service animals, are not permitted.
  5. 5. Fishing is allowed at Lake Wauburg with a valid State of Florida fishing license in designated areas. Fishing is not permitted from the swim area dock.
  6. 6. Use of metal detectors is not permitted.
  7. 7. Removal of artifacts, plants or animals is not permitted.
  8. 8. Modes of Transportation:
    1. a. Parking is only permitted in designated parking areas.
    2. b. Motorized vehicles (such as mini-bikes and scooters), skateboards, and skates are restricted to main roads and designated parking areas.
    3. c. Bicycles are restricted to mountain bike trails and main paths.
  9. 9. Tents with ground stakes are not permitted.
  10. 10. Playing fields and sand volleyball courts are for drop-in-use only.
  11. 11. Attaching Objects to Trees and Structures:
    1. a. Anchoring to buildings, bike racks, handrails, challenge course elements, fences, tables, or light poles is not permitted.
    2. b. May be affixed to trees greater than 1 foot in diameter to be used as anchor points.
    3. c. May be affixed on a temporary basis and must be removed when not in use.
    4. d. May not be set up within a special event zone or interfere with other guest activities.
    5. e. Slacklining Specific:
      1. i. Length not to exceed 40 feet.
      2. ii. Maximum height is 3 feet at the center of the span.
      3. iii. A minimum of 8 feet clearance on both sides is required.
      4. iv. Activities involving flips are not permitted.
  12. 12. Art projects that alter facilities or landscape (without approved consent from UF Recreational Sports), such as balloons, candles, fires outside of grills, nails, and tape on pavilions, posts, and trees are prohibited.
  13. 13. Disorderly conduct; dangerous, inappropriate or disruptive behavior, abuse of the facility, natural environment, equipment, or staff and/or disregard for the Recreational Sports and Lake Wauburg policies will result in immediate dismissal. Additional sanctions may include: disciplinary action, reimbursement for damages, and/or potential suspension from the facilities and programs.
  14. 14. A participant asked to leave by RecSports staff will not be refunded any paid charges.

Lake Wauburg Equipment Check Out/Check In Policies

  1. 1. A Participant Acknowledgement of Risk, Release, and Agreement form must be completed to participate in designated activities.
  2. 2. To check out/check in equipment a valid Gator 1 Card must be presented.
  3. 3. Sponsors must accompany guests at all times while using Lake Wauburg equipment.
  4. 4. There is a 60-minute limit on all equipment when someone is waiting.
  5. 5. Equipment must be returned 30 minutes prior to the park’s closing time.
  6. 6. Equipment is required to remain on park premises.
  7. 7. Equipment Specific Information:
    1. a. Mountain Bike:
      1. i. Two mountain bikes and designated equipment may be checked out per valid Gator 1 card.
      2. ii. Closed toe and heel shoes are required when using the mountain bikes.
      3. iii. Bike helmets are required to be worn and buckled.
  8. b. Watercraft:
    1. i. Two single-person watercrafts and designated equipment may be checked out per valid Gator 1 card.
    2. ii. A life jacket is required to be worn and fastened when using watercraft.
    3. iii. Watercraft may only dock at the facility from which it was checked out.
    4. iv. Swimming and jumping from watercrafts is not permitted.
    5. v. Electric motors or paddles may be used on fishing boats. Private gas-powered watercraft are not permitted.
    6. vi. Gator 1 cardholders and guests are required to have a swim check prior to check out/use of sail boats, stand up paddle boards, and wake/ski services.
    7. vii. Watercraft must return to shore when instructed to do so by RecSports staff.

Swim Area Policies

  1. 1. Swimming is allowed in designated swim area only when a lifeguard is present.
  2. 2. Glass containers are not permitted.
  3. 3. Diving/jumping is allowed in designated area only.
  4. 4. Small children must be accompanied/supervised by an adult while in or near the water.
  5. 5. Non-swimmers must wear a life jacket.
  6. 6. Prolonged breath-holding or swimming under water for distance is not permitted.

Carolina Climbing Wall & Bouldering Grotto Policies
General Policies

  1. 1. Participants must have a current Gator 1 Card or be a guest of a Gator 1 Card holder to use facilities.
  2. 2. All participants must complete a Participant Acknowledgement of Risk, Release, and Agreement form in order to participate.
  3. 3. Participants cannot use personal climbing equipment.
  4. 4. Participants are allowed to wear personal climbing shoes.
  5. 5. Participants must wear appropriate clothing and footwear to participate.
  6. 6. Food and drinks must be kept away from all activity areas.
  7. 7. Climbing on any of the equipment is permitted only with direction from the supervising staff member.
  8. 8. Participants are responsible for any equipment they sign out.
  9. 9. Chalk is not allowed on the climbing wall.
  10. 10. Guests may only be belayed by a Gator 1 Card holder with a current belay card.
  11. 11. A back-up belayer is required. This person is not required to have a belay card.
  12. 12. Courtesy to others, appropriate language and behavior are required.
  13. 13. One warning will be issued per participant for a policy infraction; second infraction will result in loss of privileges.
  14. 14. Climbing wall staff will determine if it is safe to start or continue climbing.

Belay Class/Belay Cardholders

  1. 1. Only Gator 1 Card holders can take a Lake Wauburg belay class.
  2. 2. If a belay cardholder has not belayed in one calendar month, the belay cardholder must be checked by staff for set up and technique prior to belaying.
  3. 3. Belay cards will expire 1 year from the date of the last recorded visit to the climbing wall.
  4. 4. Belay cards must be surrendered to Lake Wauburg staff when requested.

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