St. Marys Quarry and Lind Sportsplex

There will be three swims a day, seven days a week from Monday, July 6 to Sunday, August 23, 2020 at the quarry:

• 1:00 – 2:45 pm
• 3:15 – 5:00 pm
• 5:30 – 7:30 pm

You will need to register and pay for your swim in advance through our secure online system.

Follow the simple steps below to register for a swim. 

On a mobile device (cell phone or tablet):

1. Visit www.townofstmarys.com/registeronline, click Create an account if you are a new user or Login if you already have an account.
2. If you are creating a new account, be sure to add your spouse, children or any other dependents by clicking Add a member at the bottom of the page. They will need to be added to your account if you want to register for a swim on their behalf. 
3. Click on the button with three lines on the left side of the page; select Registration then Activity Registration.
   
4. Click Aquatics on the bottom left side of the page. 
5. Choose your swim time, then click the Register button.
6. Review and accept the waiver. 
7. Select your swim and add it to your cart.
8. If you are registering multiple people, click Continue shopping and repeat steps 5 through 7, but select a new person each time by using the Name of Registrant drop down menu. You will need to review and accept the waiver for each person.
9. For adult registrations, please click the box under optional fees labeled Quarry - Admission Adult.
10. Pay quickly and easily through our secure system using VISA, Mastercard or an account credit.
11. We’ll email you a receipt – please save this on your mobile device or print it off. You can show it for a quick, convenient check-in when you arrive at the quarry.

On a desktop or laptop computer:

1. Visit www.townofstmarys.com/registeronline, click "Create an account" if you are a new user or "Login" if you already have an account.
2. If you are creating a new account, be sure to add your spouse, children or any other dependents by clicking "Add a member" at the bottom of the page. They will need to be added to your account if you want to register for a swim on their behalf. 
3. Click "Registration" at the top of the page, then "Activity Registration."
4. Click "Aquatics" on the left side of the page. 
5. Choose your swim time, then click the Register button.
6. Review and accept the waiver. 
7. Select your swim and add it to your cart.
8. If you are registering multiple people, click Continue shopping and repeat steps 5 through 7, but select a new person each time by using the Name of Registrant drop down menu. You will need to review and accept the waiver for each person.
9. For adult registrations, please click the box under optional fees labeled Quarry - Admission Adult.
10. Pay quickly and easily through our secure system using VISA, Mastercard or an account credit.
11. We’ll email you a receipt – please save this on your mobile device or print it off. You can show it for a quick, convenient check-in when you arrive at the quarry.

The cost per swim is:

• $4.50 for a child/youth (ages 3 – 18)
• $7.00 for an adult (ages 18+)

Due to the advance registration requirements, swim passes, YMCA memberships and St. Marys Public Library passes will not be accepted at this time.

Our canteen will be closed this summer, so we encourage you to bring your own non-alcoholic drinks and snacks to enjoy during your quarry visit.

You will also need to bring a mask and wear it when entering the quarry and using the washroom, as per Huron Perth Public Health's instructions.

You can also bring your own lawn chair, life jacket or pool noodle, but please, leave the large floaties at home. Life jackets will also be available to use at no cost.

Only 5 people are allowed in the change rooms due to physical distancing requirements, so if do need to use them, you may have to wait in line.

The washrooms will be closed 10 minutes before each swim time in order to clean and get ready for the next swim time. The showers will not be available for use.

When you arrive at the quarry, you will need to show the receipt you were emailed when you registered for your swim. You can show it on a mobile device or bring a printed copy. This is the quickest way to get into the quarry, so we encourage you to have your receipt ready.

Don’t worry - we can look your registration up in our system if you can’t find your receipt.

Climb on the rafts, do a cannonball off the cliff jump or simply swim in the clean, cool water and enjoy the breathtaking scenery surrounding you.

Please remember to practice physical distancing during your visit by leaving at least 2 metres or 6 feet of space between yourself and others who are not part of your household or social bubble.

Child cannot complete swim test: 

Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is at least 12 years of age and responsible for their direct supervision. Maximum number of children 8 bathers to one parent/guardian (8:1) with approved life-jackets. These are to be worn by all non-swimmers in their charge. Parent/guardian must be in bathing attire and within arm's reach of the child(ren) at all times in and out of the water.

Child can complete swim test: Admitted unaccompanied.

• Direct Supervision - Able to render immediate assistance, 'within arm's reach'.
• Guardian - A person of at least 12 years of age who is responsible for the children.

Take a plunge off our cliff jump (water levels permitting).

Cliff jump rules: 

• You must be 8 years and older to use the cliff jump 

• Feet first jumping only; no running, handstands, inwards, flips, dives, spinning

• Only one person may jump at a time; all others must wait behind line

• Look before you jump; wait until the area is clear before entering

• You must jump straight off the end of the cliff jump and swim out of the area immediately

• Do not sit or climb on the railings 

Perfect your cannonball or practice a fancy dive off of our two rafts. 

Raft rules:

• Only four people on the raft at one time
• No pushing or horseplay

Details:

• There are 6 paddleboards available to rent on a first-come, first-served basis. Boards cannot be reserved in advance.
• Rentals last 45 minutes and cost $10. The $10 fee is in addition to your quarry admission fee.
• You must be 12 years of age or older to rent a paddleboard.
• You must sign a waiver when you pay for your rental.
• A quarry-provided life jacket must be worn at all times when using the paddleboards.
• Only one person is allowed on the paddleboard at one time.
• You may split your paddleboard rental with one or more people, as long as they are part of your social bubble. You cannot share your rental with anyone that is not in your social bubble.
• Each rental board will be sanitized during the 30-minute timeslot between swims. Boards are only rented once per swim. 
• Swimmers may also use their own paddleboards while at the quarry, as long as they follow the same guidelines and rules as all other paddleboard users.

• 1:00 - 2:45 pm
• 3:15 - 5:00 pm
• 5:30 - 7:30 pm

With that in mind, we decided to start small by offering three swims a day. If these swims are successful and demand is high, we will considering offering another session. 

Follow the simple steps below to register for a swim. 

On a mobile device (cell phone or tablet):

1. Visit www.townofstmarys.com/registeronline, click Create an account if you are a new user or Login if you already have an account.
2. If you are creating a new account, be sure to add your spouse, children or any other dependents by clicking Add a member at the bottom of the page. They will need to be added to your account if you want to register for a swim on their behalf. 
3. Click on the button with three lines on the left side of the page; select Registration then Activity Registration.
   
4. Click Aquatics on the bottom left side of the page. 
5. Choose your swim time, then click the Register button.
6. Review and accept the waiver. 
7. Select your swim and add it to your cart.
8. If you are registering multiple people, click Continue shopping and repeat steps 5 through 7, but select a new person each time by using the Name of Registrant drop down menu. You will need to review and accept the waiver for each person.
9. For adult registrations, please click the box under optional fees labeled Quarry - Admission Adult.
10. Pay quickly and easily through our secure system using VISA, Mastercard or an account credit.
11. We’ll email you a receipt – please save this on your mobile device or print it off. You can show it for a quick, convenient check-in when you arrive at the quarry.

On a desktop or laptop computer:

1. Visit www.townofstmarys.com/registeronline, click "Create an account" if you are a new user or "Login" if you already have an account.
2. If you are creating a new account, be sure to add your spouse, children or any other dependents by clicking "Add a member" at the bottom of the page. They will need to be added to your account if you want to register for a swim on their behalf. 
3. Click "Registration" at the top of the page, then "Activity Registration."
4. Click "Aquatics" on the left side of the page. 
5. Choose your swim time, then click the Register button.
6. Review and accept the waiver. 
7. Select your swim and add it to your cart.
8. If you are registering multiple people, click Continue shopping and repeat steps 5 through 7, but select a new person each time by using the Name of Registrant drop down menu. You will need to review and accept the waiver for each person.
9. For adult registrations, please click the box under optional fees labeled Quarry - Admission Adult.
10. Pay quickly and easily through our secure system using VISA, Mastercard or an account credit.
11. We’ll email you a receipt – please save this on your mobile device or print it off. You can show it for a quick, convenient check-in when you arrive at the quarry.

By registering in advance, you are helping us ensure we meet our new COVID-19 protocols. These protocols have been put in place to keep you, your family and our staff safe.

1. Paying online means staff don’t have to handle cash. This helps to protect our employees.
2. By entering your information online, you are helping us track who enters the quarry. This makes it easy for public health to do contact tracing, in case someone who uses the quarry tests positive for COVID-19.
3. Registering and paying online makes checking into the quarry quicker and easier. All you have to do is show your receipt (on your mobile device or in print) to move to the next step.

If you are not able to reserve a swim online, call us at 519-284-2160 and we will assist you. 

We require 48 hours notice for all cancellations. If you need to cancel, please call us at 529-284-3090 (Monday to Sunday, 1:00 to 7:30 pm) or email aquatics@town.stmarys.on.ca.

While we do not issue refunds, we will a credit on your account for a future booking, or switch your booking to another day/timeslot, if available.

Payment must be made at the time of registration; no in-person payments will be accepted at the quarry.  Due to the advance registration requirements, swim passes, YMCA memberships and St. Marys Public Library passes will not be accepted at this time.

Although our change rooms and washrooms will be open, we suggest that you arrive at the quarry with your swimsuit on. Only 5 people are allowed in the change rooms due to physical distancing requirements, so if do need to use them, you may have to wait in line.

The washrooms will be closed 10 minutes before each swim time in order to clean and get ready for the next swim time. The showers will not be available for use.

Only the rafts, cliff jump and paddleboard rentals are available this year; the trampoline, slide, inflatable waterpark and beach volleyball courts will be unavailable.

Information courtesy of Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) 

The water in the quarry originates from groundwater discharging from fractures or cracks in the bedrock, and from precipitation. Groundwater is always cold, staying within a few degrees of 10˚ Celsius, year round. As a result, the water in the quarry is cool during the swimming season and relatively warmer in the winter.

Groundwater levels are also fairly constant, varying only about 1 metre over the course of a year. Groundwater is at its highest in the winter/early spring, and relatively stable throughout the summer. During hot summers, water levels in the quarry may drop slightly due to increased evaporation and surface water temperatures may be warmer. 

Information courtesy of Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) 

Water depths in the quarry range from 3 to 10 metres.

Information courtesy of Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) 

The main fish species found in the quarry are Common Carp, Pumpkinseed and Rock Bass. The fish are able to migrate between the west quarry fishing hole across the street and the quarry through the underwater tunnel connecting the two. In an open watercourse, species like Common Carp and Pumpkinseed would move to warmer portions of that waterbody. However, they are still able to survive in the colder water temperatures found in the quarry.

Common Carp
The Common Carp is a large, deep-bodied fish, varying in colour from silver to olive-green, brass or grey on the back and sides. It has whisker-like appendages called barbels near the corners of its mouth. Native to Asia, carp were introduced to North America from non-native populations in Europe. Common Carp adapt to a variety of conditions, tolerating all types of bottoms and water clarity ranging from clear to murky.

Pumpkinseed

The Pumpkinseed is a very deep-bodied, laterally compressed, almost disk-like fish. The fish’s breast and belly are orange to red-orange, and its back and sides are brown to olive. Its sides and back are speckled with orange, yellow, blue, and emerald spots. Pumpkinseeds can be found in large schools and often make up the largest portion of the fish population in small, warm bodies of water. Part of the sunfish family, the Pumpkinseed is native to eastern North America.

Rock Bass

The Rock Bass is a small and very deep-bodied fish. Its back and upper sides are brown to olive with golden tints, and often with dark saddles. It has a large red eye and its mouth is large and extends backwards to below the middle of the eye. The Rock Bass is part of the sunfish family and can be found swimming with other sunfish and bass. It is a cool-water fish native to Ontario.