Program Information
The SHORE Aquatic Center's Community Hygiene Access Program is a limited shower access program that supports the needs of the community for access to hygiene facilities. The program works with various organizations in the community to provide single-use shower vouchers to individuals in need, while keeping operational costs and impact minimal, and abiding by all legal regulations.
Hours of operation for this program run Monday through Friday, 5:30am-9:00am, to prevent disruption of other SHORE programming. The goal of this program is to promote public health & hygiene, support other organizations' existing community-based outreach efforts, and utilize existing facility capacity during low-demand periods.
This program has been formally approved by the SHORE Aquatic Center's governing Board. Vouchers are being distributed through approved partner organizations that adhere to the program's policies and procedures. This program intends to operate with minimal-to-no direct cost to the SHORE Aquatic Center.
Participants are granted access to shower/restroom facilities only. All individuals entering the SHORE Aquatic Center must adhere to and comply with facility rules and staff direction; if participating in unsafe behavior or found to be in violation, SHORE reserves the right to remove the individual.
This includes:
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Sobriety Policy: For the safety of all participants and staff, this includes the facility rule that persons under the influence or intoxicated are not allowed entry; and prohibits the presence and use of drugs and alcohol at the facility.
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Property Storage: All personal belongings and bags must be stored in designated locker areas during the session. No personal belongings may be left over night, or while owner is not present.
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Behavioral Standard: Respectful conduct toward staff, lifeguards, and other participants is required at all times.
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Shaving Policy: The use of razors and shaving is prohibited in the restroom facilities for the safety of staff and patrons.
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Weapons: For patron and staff safety, the possession of weapons inside the facility is not permissible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this program just for homeless individuals?
No--this program is not targeted to serve only people experiencing homelessness. This program is meant for any community members who may not have available or accessible clean shower facilities at home. Whether it's an issue with a water heater, a family in the process of moving, an elderly woman with a power outage, etc. We want this resource to be available to all who need it.
What other programs are ongoing during shower voucher hours?
The Hygiene Program timeframe from 5:30-9:00am occurs during open swim time. Most members who choose to swim during this time of day M-F are adult swimmers with memberships. There are certain water aerobics classes that begin as early as 7:00am, and some morning yoga classes that begin at 8:30am. Swim club's Morning Masters' swim--which does not involve their younger swimmers--swims twice a week from 6:45-7:45am. None of these programs have been directly impacted by the Hygiene Access Program.
Have there been any incidents caused by this program?
There have been no incidents with an individual entering the facility on a shower voucher. These individuals are no more likely than a paying customer or a long-standing member to have an issue or incident with the SHORE Aquatic Center.
What about SPLASH Preschool? What about Swim Lessons?
SPLASH Preschool takes place on the opposite side of the building, with a separate entrance, locked doors, and no public access from patrons on the "poolside" of the facility. SPLASH Swim time occurs after the timeframe of the Hygiene Program. While swim lesson registration may occasionally occur within the Hygiene program's timeframe, there are no scheduled swim lessons that overlap with the Hygiene Program. Families are also given the option to call in for registration, rather than attending in-person. Children are not required to be present for any swim lesson registration.
How many individuals has this program been serving
Currently, an average of 1-2 Shower Vouchers are accepted per weekday. This maintains the goals of a low-cost program and not infringing on regular members' visits, while still serving a significant number of community members.
Where can I go to get a shower voucher? What organizations are approved?
Current approved organizations include North Olympic Library System (NOLS), Saint Vincent DePaul's (SVDP), Port Angeles Salvation Army (PASA), and Clallam County Harm Reduction Center (CCHR). Each organization requests and receives vouchers directly from the SHORE Aquatic Center for distribution.
What steps does the SHORE Aquatic Center take to ensure safety & cleanliness?
In 2026, the SHORE Aquatic Center implemented a day-use waiver for all day-pass usage. This means that even if an individual using a day-pass, shower voucher, or swim token would normally not need to make an account at all, we now have a waiver sign-in sheet that allows us to keep a record of the names of all patrons--including those who use a Shower Voucher through our Community Hygiene Access Program. Our daytime janitors keep up with the little things throughout the mornings, and our overnight janitors deep-clean all locker/shower spaces daily. Lifeguards check on locker rooms and open Universal locker rooms every 15 minutes and report anything unsanitary or out of the ordinary.
What if someone under the influence of drugs or alcohol is attempting to use this program?
Those under the influence of drugs or alcohol are not permitted into the facility, whether they are using the Community Hygiene Access Program, paying for a day pass, have a free swim token, or have a membership.