Guidelines and Policies

MEMBERSHIP

MEMBER CHECK-IN  
All members ages 3 and older are required to have a virtual card and are required to check-in upon entry to the building. All members must have a photograph taken for security purposes. All children under 3 that are checking in to the Playroom (where applicable) will also be required to have a membership card. Virtual Membership cards are highly encouraged, but physical cards may be requested at the Member Services Desk. A replacement fee of $5 may apply for physical cards.

DEFINITION OF A FAMILY
No more than two adult heads of household and dependents that are 26 years of age or younger in school or living at home.  It also includes persons with special needs living as a single housekeeping unit at the same address. Dependents must be those that are claimed on taxes and proof may be requested by staff.

MONTH-TO-MONTH MEMBERSHIPS
All facilities (except the Allen Senior Recreation Center) offer memberships that auto-renew until cancellation. There is a one-time, non-refundable enrollment fee of $75 due at the time of membership enrollment (only applicable at the Stephen G. Terrell Recreation Center). The $75 fee is waived for active military personnel and veterans.

PROOF OF RESIDENCY
Resident rates are only available to those who live within the city limits of Allen and/or pay property taxes to the City of Allen.  You must provide proof of residency the first time you register in order to receive the resident rate.  Once you are in our system, you will not need to prove residency again unless your address changes.  The only acceptable forms of proof include a valid driver’s license or state identification card, or a current gas, electric, water or trash/recycle bill that shows your name and address.  Allen residency is verified using the Collin Central Appraisal District website.

CANCELLATIONS
Members may cancel by email or in person. All cancellations must be done in writing.  If done in person, the staff member will need this in writing from the head of the household listed on the membership.  If a cancellation is requested to be done by email, staff will instruct member to provide their name, address and telephone number when sending an email to the facility membership emails in the chart below.

The facilities require a 30-day notice for cancellation.  The 30 days starts the day we receive written information from you requesting to cancel.  If your 30^th day falls on a Saturday or a Sunday, your membership will be cancelled the Friday before.  If your membership renews during the 30-day notice period, you will receive a refund for the unused days at time of cancellation.

For the Stephen G. Terrell Recreation Center, if a membership has been inactive for greater than 90 days, the $75 enrollment fee will be assessed again in the event of re-enrollment.

Membership and cancelation paperwork may be completed at the Member Services Desk in person or may be emailed to the respective facility membership emails.

FREEZES
In the event you are unable to utilize one of the recreational facilities, you may freeze your membership account for $10/month.

A member may request that their account be frozen. A reason for the freeze is not required. Freezes may be done on the day requested and can be requested for a future date. All freezes must be a minimum of 30 days; there is not a maximum time an account can be frozen on monthly memberships. Memberships must be unfrozen in person.

Unfreezing a membership must be done by the head of the household at the Member Services Desk at any time, with the assistance of a Lead or Supervisor.

CHANGES IN MEMBERSHIP
There are two types of changes in membership. One involves changing from one type of membership to another, i.e., youth to family, family to adult, adult to family and so on. Changes in memberships are always done at the Member Services Desk.

GUEST POLICY
Members are allowed to bring guests to the facility.  Guests are required to pay the appropriate daily usage fees and sign off on a waiver for use of membership-based amenities.

CODE OF CONDUCT

The Following Code of Conduct is applicable to all who visit or participate in Center programs, services and activities.   As a member, participant or guest, you agree to: 

1. Understand that the center is a controlled access facility.  All persons entering the facility must have a membership, day pass, participate in a fee for service/registration-based recreation program, special event, or facility rental.
2. Behave in a courteous and respectful manner that does not interfere with another person’s enjoyment of the facility or programs.
3. Refrain from behavior, dress or language that is abusive, threatening, or disruptive to others.
4. Respect personal belongings of others and Center property. Destruction or defacement of City property including litter is prohibited.
5. Responsibly secure your own personal belongings.  The city is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
6. Act honestly.  Sharing membership cards is considered theft of service and falsifying membership forms is considered forgery.  It is also your responsibility to notify staff in a timely manner of any address, phone number or household changes.
7. Keep the Center a substance-free environment and immediately report all alcohol, tobacco, e-cigarette, and illegal drug use.
8. Photography or videotaping of individuals or images in the facility is not permitted without prior department consent.
9. Refrain from soliciting individuals in the Center for personal business or agencies without prior approval from the facility management. This includes but is not limited to posting flyers, business cards and advertising materials.   Private or group instruction of any type is not permitted unless contracted through the center.
10. Follow all written rules and guidelines as well as verbal directions by staff.  

The center staff are authorized to enforce this Code of Conduct.  Failure to comply with this Code of Conduct may result in the suspension and/or revocation of your facility privileges and forfeiture of paid fees.

GENERAL GUIDELINES AND RULES

SPECTATOR POLICY
The facilities are controlled access. All persons entering the facility must have a current membership, purchase a day pass, or participate in a fee-for-service recreation program.  Facilities do not allow free access for any persons entering the facility.

PHOTO/VIDEO POLICY
Photography or video recording is permitted at all City of Allen facilities and events on city-owned property, except where posted otherwise. The City of Allen reserves the right to require a person to leave the premises or cease taking photos or use of a video device if the staff finds such behavior to be disruptive.

By their use of the City of Allen facilities, participants of programs and special events grant permission to the City of Allen to take photos and videos of themselves and their children for publication in the program brochure, website and additional uses as the city deems necessary, unless the registrant or participant expressly files a written request as to the use of photos or videos of themselves and/or their children.

SOLICITATION/DISTRIBUTION
Literature may not be distributed, nor any solicitation made on the premises without consent from the Facility Manager.

LOST AND FOUND
If you have left an item at the facility, please contact the Member Services Desk.

FACILITY USAGE POLICIES

GYMNASIUM POLICIES 

• Children under the age of 10 must be directly supervised by a person aged 16 or older. 
• Proper attire, including shirts, shorts and non-marking gym shoes must be worn at all times. Bare feet, flip flops, sandals, dress shoes, etc. are prohibited. 
• Dunking and hanging on the rims, nets and backboards is prohibited. 
• Equipment should be used in the manner that is intended. Tampering with equipment and/or sitting on, kicking, or throwing balls against the walls, doors, windows, or ceiling is prohibited. 
• Use of personal sporting equipment (cones, drill ladders, props…etc.) are prohibited by members. 
• Food and/or drinks are not allowed in the gym (with exception of water in a plastic closed container only). 
• Profanity or vulgar language is not allowed. 
• The facility is not responsible for lost or stolen items. 
• Organized practices are not allowed in the gymnasium at any time. Teams may rent the facility after hours for use. 
• Private coaching or instruction from non-city employees during operational hours is prohibited, and offenders will be asked to leave for the day. 
• Stationary objects (stroller, chairs, car seats, etc.) are not allowed in the gym. 
• All pickup games must follow court game rules. 
• Fighting, arguing and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated and may result in disciplinary action up to and including immediate dismissal from the facility. 
• Outside music is not allowed without prior permission from Facility Management. 
• For the Stephen G. Terrell Recreation Center, open play participants will need to check in at the Member Services Desk. Open play in the Fieldhouse may require membership/receipt verification with a staff member at the entrance of the Fieldhouse. 

TRACK RULES 

• Outside lanes are for running, inner lanes for walking. 
• Track direction changes daily, please observe the correct track direction for the day. 
• Participants under the age of 13 must be supervised by a supervising individual 16 years or older. 
• Non-marking athletic shoes are required for the track . 
• Strollers are prohibited. 
• Skateboards, roller-skates, and the like are prohibited. 
• Tobacco, food, chewing gum, glass bottles and cans are prohibited on the track.  Water is allowed in a sealed plastic container. 
• Dropping or throwing items over the railing is prohibited. 
• For safety reasons, please refrain from utilizing mobile devices. 
• Be respectful of others. 

FITNESS FLOOR AND DECK POLICIES 

• Children under the age of 13 are not allowed on the fitness floor. 
• Equipment orientations are available and encouraged for the first-time users. Appointments must be made in advance. 
• Proper attire and athletic shoes must be worn at all times. Belts, clothing with rivets, wallet chains, and open-toed shoes are prohibited. 
• Wipe down equipment after each use. 
• Collars and claps are required for all barbell lifts. 
• Spotters recommended for all heavy lifts in the Free Weight area. 
• Safe and proper use of equipment is required at all times. 
• Do not drop or “bang” equipment. 
• Please make equipment available for other participants between sets. 
• Limit cardio equipment usage to 30 minutes during peak times.  
• Use of chalk is prohibited. 
• Be courteous and refrain from loud noises, use of speakers and talking on your cell phone while in the fitness room. 
• Weights must be returned to appropriate racks after each use. 
• Weights should not be leaned or placed against equipment, walls or columns. 
• Small bags (up to 13” W x 18” H) will be allowed on the fitness floor.  Larger bags can be stored in a locker. 
• Food and/or drinks are not permitted other than water in a spill proof container. 
• Weights are not allowed on cardiovascular equipment. 
• Personal training/coaching will be conducted by authorized City of Allen personnel only. 
• Failure to adhere to these policies or policy enforcement by staff, may result in dismissal from the fitness floor and the facility. 
• The City of Allen staff reserve the right to enforce other rules as necessary to ensure the comfort and safety of our guests. 

LOCKER UTILIZATION
Lockers are free of charge as they are only a day use locker. There will be no officially assigned lockers. Please remember to remove all personal items prior to leaving the facility. All lockers will be emptied out each evening. The City of Allen is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

PLAYROOM

This service is only offered at the Stephen G. Terrell Recreation Center. Playroom service is provided to our members without an additional charge.

Legal guardians must complete a registration form before their child can be signed-in to the Playroom and must include a designated person on the form as necessary. Only a parent, legal guardian or designated person may drop-off and pick-up their children (designated person is defined as: person who has been identified by parent; this can be a relative or friend who is a member). 

GUIDELINES 

• Children 3 months through 9 years are welcome to visit the Playroom, not to exceed two hours per day. 
• Parents/guardians/designated persons must check their children in at the Playroom front desk.  
• A membership card or valid ID is required for check-in/out of children.
• Children will not be allowed to leave the Playroom unless checked out by a parent/guardian/designated person. 
• Parents/guardians/designated persons are prohibited from leaving the facility grounds (this does not include participating in an STRC program outside) and can result in a 30-day loss of Child Watch privileges. 
• Parents/guardians/designated person are not allowed in the Playroom play areas except in the check-in/out area. 
• Photographs and video in the Playroom are prohibited. 
• The City of Allen is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
• Personal items are not allowed inside the Playroom except those that are necessary.
• Toys from home should not be brought into the Playroom. Comfort items may be requested and may be approved by staff on a case-by-case basis. 
• Please make sure that any necessary personal items are clearly marked with your child’s name. Pacifiers must be attached to the child’s clothing or car seat.   
• Food and/or drink may not be brought into the Playroom. If a child expresses thirst in Playroom, staff will provide water. Sippy cups for water are allowed for younger children and must be labeled with the child’s name.  
• Staff members are unable to change diapers or assist with toileting. Please change your child or take them to the restroom prior to checking them in. Parents will be notified of a needed diaper change or if a child needs assistance using the restroom. Independent children may use the Playroom restroom. 
• Notify the staff of any allergies your child may have or any other health or physical limitations our staff should be aware of. Medications are not allowed and will not be administered by staff members. 
• If a child cries for more than 10 minutes and the staff members have made every effort to soothe the child, the parent will be notified.  
• As a health standard and courtesy to others, parents are expected to adhere to the Sick Child Policy. 
• In the event of an emergency, playroom staff may have to evacuate or seek shelter.  Refer to facility’s Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for evacuation location.

SICK CHILD POLICY
We reserve the right to deny members entry with children who are ill. A sick child is defined as a child who is contagious or infectious and poses a health risk to others. A child who is not able to participate in activities in reasonable comfort cannot be left in the care of the Playroom.  

Children should not be brought to the PLAYROOM If: 

• Child has symptoms of possible communicable disease (usually sniffles, red eyes, sore throat, headache, abdominal pain, fever, and/or skin spots, bumps, or patches).   
• Child requires more care than our staff can provide without compromising the health and safety of other children.  

The following are sick child symptoms.  We cannot accept children in with these symptoms: 

• Has a fever of 99 degrees or higher. 
• Has vomited within the past 24 hours. 
• Has had a watery stool in the past 24 hours. 
• New onset of any kind of rash within the first 3-4 days of its occurrence. Child has a rash not associated with diapers. 
• Has a sore throat and/or swollen glands causing difficulty in swallowing.  Strep Throat is contagious if left untreated.  A child may attend the Playroom 24 hours after the 1^st dose of antibiotics for this or other bacterial infections.  
• If a Child has Chicken Pox, they must be completely clear of pox before attending. 
• If a Child has any green or yellow mucous coming from the nose regardless of the use of antibiotics. 
• Has significant respiratory distress (a constant cough). 
• Has unexplained lethargy. 
• Child with untreated and/or contagious lice, ringworm, or scabies. 

If a child comes in with any of these symptoms, we will ask you to wait to use Playroom services until after the symptoms have been resolved. If staff observes any of these symptoms during the child’s visit, the parent will be asked to remove the child. If the child is without any of these symptoms but still seems ill, the parent will be asked to remove the child.

BEHAVIOR
To address behavioral issues, we will implement the use of “time-outs” for children two years of age and older. Activity redirection will be used for children younger than two. We will contact parents if the child’s behavior needs attention for longer than 10 minutes. If behavioral issues continue after three attempts of correction, the child will be suspended from the playroom for a minimum of 30 days.  

POTENTIAL PENALTIES FOR Playroom MISUSE 

• Late pick up: If you pick your child up later than the time permitted for use, we will, after the third time, suspend your Playroom Watch privileges for a 30-day period.  
• The Allen Police Department may be notified if the child is in the Playroom for more than 2 hours and staff cannot locate the parent. 
• The Allen Police Department may be notified if the parent leaves the premises. 
• Future Playroom privileges will be revoked for a minimum of 30 days.  Privileges may be permanently revoked if repeated offenses. 

Please note: Future Playroom privileges may be revoked if your child causes severe interruptions or injuries while in the Playroom.

POTENTIAL PARENTAL NOTIFICATIONS
A parent’s stay at the recreational facility may be interrupted for the following reasons: 

• A child is in need of a diaper change or toileting assistance. 
• A child is crying for more than 10 minutes, and the staff members have made every effort to soothe the child. 
• A child is not following instructions from staff members-the child’s behavior needs attention for longer than 10 minutes. 
• A child’s stay exceeds the 2-hour limit. 
• Staff members determine the child is sick.  
• Staff members determine the child is in need of a parent.