Pool Rules and FAQs

Who can use the pool?  

Everyone has a chance to use our facility. For external programming we focus our resources on the Philomath School District before opening up to other groups.

What programs are available? 

Lap swim, Aqua fitness, Open Recreation, Private Lessons, Aqua Babies, Pool Rentals, Group Lessons (Spring and Summer only), Dolphins (Spring, Summer, and Fall). For more information, please check out the corresponding pages on our website.

Is open recreation swimming available during lap swim hours? 

Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate playtime during lap swim. We require individuals who attend this time be able to swim an entire length or utilize the entire length of the pool for exercise use only. One exception that we will accommodate is parents or guardians bringing in infants and toddlers 3 years of age or younger to calmly and quietly use the pool to grow comfortable in the water and learn valuable life skills during school hours.

Can I lap swim during swim lessons?

During regular group swim lessons and School group swim lessons we are closed to lap swim. During Private lessons we will have limited lap swim availability. Our open hours are listed on our schedule both on our website, Facebook, and posted on site at the facility for public perusal and flyers are available as well.

If I come in for a class, can I stay for open recreation afterwards?

Depending on the number of participants that came in specifically for open recreation we may allow exercise class participants to stay in the water to exercise or play. Swim lesson participants must exit the water after their class is complete.

Will we be able to rent suits/towels? 

Unfortunately, we do not have the ability to provide towels or suits for rent to the public. 

What is the required swim attire? Do I have to wear a swimsuit?

We do not have a requirement that you must wear a swim suit at the pool. If a t-shirt and athletic shorts work better for you, that's ok. Though we do not recommend wearing jeans or cutoffs in the pool, we do not have a rule against them. Please be mindful of what fabrics you choose to wear in the water, as some are more comfortable than others. 

Will I or my child be able to borrow goggles for Open Recreation? 

Unfortunately, we do not have the ability to provide goggles to the public for recreational swim. If you are in need of goggles, please feel free to check out Osborn Aquatic Center Pro Shop or Big 5 year-round; Fred Meyers, Walmart, Bi-Mart, or the Dollar Store seasonally, for local options to purchase goggles. Or sites such as swimoutlet.com or Amazon for more options for year-round availability (unsponsored).  

How do I sign up for general programming (lap swim, exercise classes, open rec, etc.)? 

We do not currently offer online pre-registration for general programming. Updates will still be posted weekly (Fridays around 12pm) about any changes to the general schedule (closures, special events, program changes, etc.)

How do I sign up for swim lessons?

We do not currently offer online registration of any kind. The only exception to this is if our director or our pool supervisor email you to schedule private lessons. Group lesson registration information is posted on our Swim Lesson pages on our website when the information is available. To register during our scheduled time for group lessons, please visit our front desk or call in with payment ready to complete registration. More information about Private and Group Lessons can be found on our website under the corresponding pages.

Do you have any availability for private swim lessons? 

• Families must reapply for Private Lessons the month before each season, please keep an eye on the website as it is updated every month with pertinent information in general but will also include registration information when available.

  • Spring Registration is February for Season of March - May

  • Summer Registration is May for Season June - August

  • Fall Registration is August for Season September - November

  • Winter Registration is November for Season December - February

• Private Lesson Interest will be turned in via request form.

  • Once requested with Name of Participant, Parent/Guardian Name, Phone number, email address, Best Approximate Level of Participant - Wait for email communication from Pool Supervisor or Pool Director

• Lessons are scheduled for 10 classes per season with potential of up to 2 make-up lessons if applicable due to family emergencies or sick instructors and we are unable to provide a substitute. 

  • Lessons cancelled with less than 24 hours notice will be forfeited if not due to the aforementioned.

• Private lessons are 1 on 1 unless scheduled as a semi-private lesson, in which case both swimmers will be provided to the pool (we do not pair swimmers) and will be a 2 to 1 ratio

I am an adult. Can I take swimming lessons?

Yes! By all means, you are more than welcome to sign up for Private Lessons at our facility to learn swimming basics or to just improve your current skills to increase endurance or technique. You are not alone in this! Never feel bad or embarrassed to still need to or want to learn swimming skills. A quote found on Michael Phelps Signature Swim Spas (not affiliated) states that, “According to USA Swimming, adult onset swimmers are the most common group of swimmers, comprising nearly 50% of all swimmers in America.”

Can I rent the pool? 

We offer private rentals and group rentals as staff availability allows, normally on Saturday afternoons. Please check our Rentals page for more information on renting the pool. If you have more specific questions that cannot be answered by reading our page, please contact our facility by email with details or call our facility to leave a message or speak with a staff member.

How do I pay for general programming and classes? 

We can accept card, cash or check at the front desk and card over the phone (as staff availability allows). We cannot accept PayPal, Venmo, Cash-Apps, Crypto or any other forms of online payment. We do not accept bills over $20 unless your total transaction is within $20 of the bills being used.

Who owns the pool?

Clemens Community Pool was founded in 1960 by Rex and Ethel Clemens as a gift to the community.  It is currently funded by a combination of user fees, the Benton Community Foundation (including the original Clemens Grant) and the Philomath School District 17J. Find out more information about our history on the Our Story page on our website.

How do I find you and where do I park?

Our designated Pool Parking spaces are located on the southeast side of Philomath High School near the baseball fields. If you are facing the baseball field with the McGarry Fieldhouse on your right, turn 180 degrees towards the school and you should see our Pool Entrance Banner on the fence outside our facility!

We have limited designated parking spaces (10 marked) available for patron use as well as two close-by disability parking spaces. If all of our spaces are unavailable, you may locate unmarked spots or park at the nearby city park. Any parking spaces at the high school that are painted are reserved during school hours for the high school seniors that have purchased reserved spaces. Please refrain from parking in those spots during school hours. 

Are you affiliated with Osborn Aquatic Center? Can I utilize my Osborn Membership at Clemens?

We are not affiliated with Osborn, our staff may be able to answer questions with knowledge of public information regarding their facility, but we do not have access to all their information.

Due to not being affiliated with Osborn, we do not accept any form of membership or pass from Osborn.

We are aware of the ongoing situation with Osborn at this time. We ask for everyone's patience throughout this situation as we are trying to accommodate the needs of our communities. Thank you and we hope you are able to be in the water soon either with us or them.

Can I pause my membership?

Memberships can be paused for medical leave or extended trips, when requested and approved. All requests will be sent to the Director for review and processing. Requests to pause memberships are taken on a case-by-case basis, and may be filed at the front desk, over the phone, or through the following online form:

Pausing Memberships Request Google Form

Once requested, the Director will reach out with a confirmation on the status of your request and updated dates of your membership.