Swimming and Swim Lessons

Enjoy swimming in Highlands East at public beaches and our outdoor pool. Information on swim lessons and pool hours we offer will be updated seasonally.

Cardiff Pool

Pool opens August 3, 2023

Due to construction delays on the change house project, the Cardiff Pool opening has been rescheduled for Thursday, August 3, 2023.

Free admission on opening day

Everyone is welcome to attend the pool on opening day (Thursday, August 3) at no cost.

Location

The outdoor pool is located at 2 Balsam Street, Cardiff.

Directions

Take Hwy 118 to Monck Road. Proceed on Monck Road and turn left on to Sprucedale Street (just past the Community Centre) and then turn left on to Balsam Street (the only street on the left).  The Pool will be on your left.

2023 Cardiff Pool Schedule and Rules

Pool opens August 3, 2023

The Cardiff Pool open on Thursday, August 3, 2023. Due to the shortened season, memberships for 2023 are now discounted and individuals that pre-purchased at the full price will be contacted about a refund.

Free admission on opening day

Everyone is welcome to attend the pool on opening day (Thursday, August 3) at no cost.

The pool will be available for swimming, weather permitting, between August 3, 2023 and August 26, 2023 according to the schedule outlined below.

The schedule listed below is tentative and may be subject to change.

Regular Summer Schedule: August 3 to 19

Monday to Friday
 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Swimming Lessons
 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Open Swim
 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Adult Swim
 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Open Swim
Saturday
 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Open Swim
 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Open Swim

Final Week Schedule: August 21 to 26

Monday & Tuesday
 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Open Swim
 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Open Swim
 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Adult Swim
 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Open Swim
Wednesday to Friday
 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Open Swim
 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Adult Swim
 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Open Swim
Saturday
 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Open Swim
 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Open Swim

Closures and schedule changes

The pool will be closed on Monday, August 7, 2023 for the Civic Holiday.

The pool schedule is subject to change. Schedule changes will be updated here and posted at the pool. Lack of available staff may cause unscheduled pool closures.

Swim Types

Open Swim

Open Swim is for families and individuals to enjoy recreational activities in the water. The pool is open to be used by all.

Adult Swim

Adult Swim is for those aged 18 years and older to relax, chat and complete their personal fitness program; these are quiet swims. Pool space includes areas for lane swimming and open swimming.

Unattended Children

The pool program is not a babysitting service. Children using the pool must have a local contact in case of emergency.

Pool Rules

In order to ensure that everyone will be able to use the facilities and equipment with safety and pleasure, the following rules will be strictly enforced.

  1. The order of the lifeguard or supervisor on duty is to be obeyed promptly.
  2. Supervising personnel are not to be interfered with in the performance of their duties.
  3. Profane or obscene language is not to be used.
  4. Diving from the red or blue painted areas and running within the swimming pool enclosure is prohibited.
  5. Every person using the swimming pool must shower in the area provided before entering the pool.
  6. Bathing suits must be worn in the pool. Cut-offs, T-shirts, etc. are prohibited.
  7. A parent or guardian must be in the swimming pool with small children who are non-swimmers.
  8. Bicycles are to be parked in the bicycle area in an upright position.

Rule-breaking

The following procedures will be followed for those who fail to follow the rules:

  1. A warning by a lifeguard will be given for the first offence.
  2. After the second offence, the offender will be expelled from the pool by a lifeguard and will remain so expelled until Council decides that the offender may return.
  3. Any further violations could result in permanent expulsion from the pool and grounds.

Other policies and information

We expect parents to co-operate by impressing on your children the necessity of obeying the rules for their own safety and the well-being of all concerned.

Persons causing damage to buildings or equipment will be charged for the cost of repair or replacement.

Please take notice that the telephone at the pool is for outgoing emergency calls only. No incoming calls will be accepted.

If parents or guardians have any suggestions or complaints, please contact the Municipal Office at 705-448-2981.

2023 Pool Membership and Other Fees

Season memberships for the Cardiff Pool are available for residents and non-residents alike.

There will be no free replacement of lost memberships.

Seasonal memberships are not available for purchase or pickup at the pool. See below for payment options.

Cardiff Pool Memberships
Membership Type*Fee
Residents

$35 $17.50 per person

$110 $55 per family (maximum of five)
Non-residents

$45 $22.50 per person

$150 $75 per family (maximum of five)
Seniors**

$25 $12.50 per person
Non-member rate

$5 per person per day

*Members are provided with a badge to wear to the pool as proof of membership.

**Must qualify for Old Age Security benefits and be a resident of Highlands East.

2023 Pool Membership Price Adjustment

Due to the delayed pool opening and shortened swimming season, pricing for 2023 Pool Memberships will discounted by half. Individuals that pre-purchased their memberships will be contacted about their refund. The updated pricing is shown above.

Swimming Instruction Fees for Cardiff Pool
Registration TypeFee
Residents

$30 per person for two week session.
Non-residents

$50 per person for two week session.
Swimming Instruction Fees for Public Beaches
Registration TypeFee
Residents and Non-residents

$30 per person for two week session.

Swimming lessons at public beaches are not available for the 2023 season.

Payment Options

We offer online payments including e-Transfer and online banking. To view all the options that are available visit our Online Payments page.

Other payment options include cash, debit or cheque made payable to the Municipality of Highlands East and can be made at the Main Office in Wilberforce by appointment on Monday to Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. 

Please note that credit card payments cannot be made at the Municipal Office.

Public Beaches

You can enjoy swimming at public beaches on four lakes where water quality is tested regularly:

  • Gooderham Lake, 1085 Lakeshore Road, Gooderham
  • Wilbermere Lake, 1540 South Wilberforce Road, Wilberforce
  • Paudash Lake, 1117 North Bay Beach Road, Cardiff
  • Glamour Lake, 2293 Glamor Lake Road, Gooderham

Swim Lessons

The Municipality of Highlands East is offering Lifesaving Society Swim for Life Lessons for the summer of 2023.

Lessons we're offering

  • Swim for Life Parent and Tot (Levels 1 to 3)
  • Preschool (Levels 1 to 5)
  • Swimmer (Levels 1 to 6)

Session dates and class times

Session dates a may be subject to change.

  • Session One: July 10 through July 21
  • Session Two: July 24 through August 4
  • Session Three: August 8 through August 18

Specific class times are dependent on registration numbers. Lesson times will be provided at the time of registration or by contacting vmcdowell@highlandseast.ca.

Registration

Fill out our online registration form to register for Cardiff Pool lessons.

Register Now