Calgary opens registration for swim and skate lessons

Registration is now open for swim and skate lessons at City of Calgary-operated facilities, beginning in April.

Lessons will look a little different than they did prior to the pandemic, to ensure that restrictions under the provincial government’s “Path Forward” plan are followed.

This allows Calgarians to learn valuable skills and participate in approved physical activities, while remaining safely distanced.

“We know how important physical activity is for individual well-being, and how learning to swim in particular is a critical life skill,” says Jarret Hoebers, Regional Manager with Calgary Recreation.

“We’re happy to be able to offer these popular and essential lessons while following the guidance of the provincial reopening plan.”

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Changes include limiting lessons to a maximum of 10 people (including the instructor), and requiring participants to maintain a minimum three-metre distance between each other.

For beginner swimmers (those in Swimmer 2 classes and below), parents are required to accompany their child in the pool. This ensures that an adult is still within arm’s reach of the child while instructors have to remain three metres away.

There will also be fewer classes happening at once to help maintain physical distancing, and additional time between lessons will be scheduled to allow for safely spaced exit and entrance from facilities.

Swimming certification courses such as Bronze Cross are included in the April programming, and so is Junior Lifesaving Club.

Beginner and intermediate-level “Learn to Skate” skill development courses are also available at select City-run arenas.

City of Calgary Recreation has opened five aquatic facilities and ten ice sheets since mid-February. Swim and skate lessons will be offered at the following locations:

• Bob Bahan Aquatic & Fitness Centre – 4812 14th Avenue SE
• Canyon Meadows Aquatic & Fitness Centre – 89 Canova Roa SW
• Killarney Aquatic & Recreation Centre – 1919 29th Street SW
• Sir Winston Churchill Aquatic & Recreation Centre – 1520 Northmount Drive NW
• Thornhill Aquatic & Recreation Centre – 6715 Centre Street NW
• Optimist & George Blundun arenas (two ice sheets) – 5020 26th Avenue SW
• Stew Hendry & Henry Viney arenas (two ice sheets) – 814 13th Avenue NE
• Max Bell Centre (Ken Bracko and Arena #2) – 1001 Barlow Trail SE
• Father David Bauer and Norma Bush arenas – 2424 University Drive NW
• Southland Leisure Centre (Ed Whalen and Joe Kryzcka arenas) – 2000 Southland Drive SW

Programming will vary by location. Visit the City of Calgary online to sign up for classes, or to learn more about what activities are currently available.