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.

Swimming lesson registrations and pool membership applications are now open for the 2025 season!

Cardiff Pool

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.

2025 Cardiff Pool Schedule

The pool will be available for swimming, weather permitting, between July 2, 2025 and August 23, 2025 according to the schedule outlined below.

Closures and schedule changes

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.

Opening Day Rescheduled to July 3

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the opening of the Cardiff Pool, originally scheduled for July 2, will be delayed to Thursday, July 3.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to seeing you there!

Civic Holiday Pool Closure

Please note the pool will be closed on Monday, August 4, 2025, for the Civic Holiday. Pool activities will not be running August 4, 2025. Thank you for your understanding.

Opening Week Schedule: July 3 to July 5

Admittance to the pool will be free on opening day.

Thursday to Friday
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.	Open Swim
4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.	Open Swim

Saturday
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.	Open Swim

Weeks 2 and 3 Schedule: July 8 to July 19, 2025

Our first session of swimming lessons occurs during these weeks. The all-summer swimming lessons also occur during these weeks.

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.	Session 1 Swimming Lessons
4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.	Open Swim

Tuesdays and Thursdays
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.	Session 1 Swimming Lessons
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.	All-Summer Swimming Lessons
7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.	Open Swim

Saturdays
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.	Open Swim

Weeks 4 and 5 Schedule: July 21 to August 2, 2025

Our second session of swimming lessons occurs during these weeks. The all-summer swimming lessons take a break during these weeks and no lessons are held on Friday, July 25 and Monday, July 28.

Monday, July 21 to Thursday, July 24
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.	Session 2 Swimming Lessons
4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.	Open Swim

Friday, July 25 and Monday, July 28
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.	Open Swim
4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.	Open Swim

Tuesday, July 29 to Friday, August 1
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.	Session 2 Swimming Lessons
4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.	Open Swim

Saturdays
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.	Open Swim

Weeks 6 and 7 Schedule: August 5 to August 15, 2025

Our third session of swimming lessons occurs during these weeks. The all-summer swimming lessons also pick up where they left off. The pool will be closed on August 4 for the Civic Holiday.

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.	Open Swim
4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.	Session 3 Swimming Lessons

Tuesdays and Thursdays
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.	Open Swim
4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.	Session 3 and All-Summer Swimming Lessons

Saturdays
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.	Open Swim

Final Week Schedule: Monday, August 18 to Saturday, August 23, 2025

Monday to Friday
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.	Open Swim
4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.	Open Swim

Saturday
11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.	Open Swim

Pool Swim Types

Lessons

We are offering Lifesaving Society Swim for Life swimming lessons, as well as Swim Patrol and Bronze Medal Awards.

Swim Patrol and Bronze Medal Awards remain tentative at this time, though we anticipate they will proceed.

What to expect from our Lessons

Our swimming lessons focus on boosting your child’s swimming abilities and advancing through the Lifesaving Society swimming lessons. Our instructors specialize in enhancing your child's confidence, abilities, and stamina in the water.

Open Swim

Whether you're here to swim laps, lounge by the pool, or enjoy some playtime, our Open Swim is open to all, for all.

What to expect from our Open Swim

Open Swim offers a time for everyone to enjoy the pool at their leisure. Please take a moment to review the Pool Rules below to ensure everyone's safety. Additionally, familiarize yourself with our Admissions Policy for details on guardian supervision before your visit.

Swim Lessons

The Municipality of Highlands East is offering Lifesaving Society Swimming Lessons for the summer of 2025.

Registration

Registration now open

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

If you have any questions about lessons, please contact Swim Program Coordinator, Victoria McDowell at vmcdowell@highlandseast.ca.

Lessons we're offering

Parent and Tot 1 to 3

Spend quality time with your child while you both have fun, learn, and socialize. Through structured in-water interaction between parent and child, we stress the importance of play in developing water-positive attitudes and skills. We provide Lifesaving Society Water Smart® tips on keeping your child safe in any aquatic setting. Certified instructors provide guidance and answers to your questions. Because activities and progressions are based on child development, you register in the level appropriate for your child’s age: 4–12 months, 12–24 months, or 2–3 years.

Preschool 1 to 5

Give your child a head-start on learning to swim. The Lifesaving Society Preschool Program develops an appreciation and healthy respect for the water before these kids get in too deep. In our basic aquatic progressions we work to ensure 3 to 5-year olds become comfortable in the water and have fun acquiring and developing a foundation of water skills. We incorporate Lifesaving Society Water Smart® education in all Preschool levels.

Swimmer 1 to 6

The Lifesaving Society’s 6-level Swimmer program makes sure your children learn how to swim before they get in too deep. Swimmer progressions accommodate children 6 years and older including absolute beginners as well as swimmers who want to build on the basics. We stress lots of in-water practice to develop solid swimming strokes and skills. We incorporate Lifesaving Society Water Smart® education in all Swimmer levels.

Swim Patrol: Rookie, Ranger and Star Patrol

The Lifesaving Society’s 3-level Canadian Swim Patrol program provides enriched training for those who want to develop swim strokes and skills while having fun in the challenging world of lifesaving. Swim Patrol develops swimming strength and efficiency with emphasis on Water Smart® behaviour. Skill drills enhance capability in the water, good physical conditioning and lifesaving judgment.

Swim Patrol remains tentative at this time, though we anticipate they will proceed.

Bronze Medal Awards

The Lifesaving Society's Bronze Medal Awards are a series of nationally recognized certification programs that prepare swimmers for advanced lifesaving and lifeguarding. These courses include Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion, and Bronze Cross, each building essential skills in water safety, rescue techniques, and emergency response. Participants will learn how to assess and respond to aquatic emergencies, develop endurance and strength through timed swims, and gain knowledge in first aid and CPR.

Bronze Medal Awards remain tentative at this time, though we anticipate they will proceed.

Please contact the Swim Program Coordinator, Victoria McDowell at vmcdowell@highlandseast.ca if you have any questions about swimming lessons that we are offering.

Session Dates and Lesson Times

Please note lesson times are subject to change.

Session One: Two Weeks from July 7 through July 18 between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Session Two: Two Weeks from July 21 through August 1 between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Session Three: Two Weeks from August 5 through August 15 between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
All-Summer Twice-a-Week Lessons: July 8, 10, 15, 17 and August 5, 7, 12 and 14 between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Lesson Times

Specific lesson times will be determined closer to the start date of the lessons. After registering, you will hear from the Swim Program Coordinator regarding lesson times and will be updated in case of changes. Please contact Swim Program Coordinator, Victoria McDowell at vmcdowell@highlandseast.ca if you have any questions regarding swimming lesson times.

Pool Rules and Admission Policy

Unattended Children

The pool program is not a babysitting service. Children 10 and older using the pool must have a local contact in case of emergency. Children under 10 years of age must have a guardian with them at all times in accordance with our Admission Policy.

Admission Policy

In order to comply with O. Reg. 565/17 s.17 (21), which states that, “every owner and every operator of a Class A pool shall ensure that there is a process in place to ensure a guardian or designated person supervises children under 10 years of age. The process must include a swimming competency test and a method of communicating the requirements of the process,” the Cardiff pool presents the following admission standards developed by the Office of the Chief Coroner:

Children aged 0 to 6

All children age 6 and under must have a supervising guardian in the water within arm’s reach and remain in the shallow end.

Without lifejackets: 1 guardian per 2 children (max)
With lifejackets: 1 guardian per 4 children (max)

Children aged 7 to 9

All children aged 7 to 9 years must perform a swim test. If unsuccessful, they must have a supervising guardian in the water within arm’s reach and remain in the shallow end. With a successful swim test, they will have access to the deep end. A supervising guardian must be in the pool or in the on-deck viewing area.

Without lifejackets: 1 guardian per 2 children (max)
With lifejackets: 1 guardian per 6 children (max)

Children aged 10 and older

Regardless of age, anyone may be asked to perform a swim test. If unsuccessful, they must remain in the shallow end.

Who is considered a guardian?

An individual who is at least 12 years of age and is responsible for the direct supervision of the children under their care.
Individuals who are group leaders (camp councillors or organization workers) and are responsible for children under their care.

Guardian responsibility

Guardians are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of the children under their direct care and must directly supervise the children under their care at all times.

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.

The order of the lifeguard or supervisor on duty is to be obeyed promptly.
Supervising personnel are not to be interfered with in the performance of their duties.
Profane or obscene language is not to be used.
Diving from the red or blue painted areas and running within the swimming pool enclosure is prohibited.
Every person using the swimming pool must shower in the area provided before entering the pool.
Bathing suits must be worn in the pool. Cut-offs, T-shirts, etc. are prohibited.
A parent or guardian must be in the swimming pool with small children who are non-swimmers in accordance with our Admission Policy.
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:

A warning by a lifeguard will be given for the first offence.
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.
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.

2025 Pool Membership and Other Fees

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

Membership application

Registration now open

Fill out our online registration form to request your 2025 pool membership.

Please contact the Swim Program Coordinator, Victoria McDowell at vmcdowell@highlandseast.ca if you have any questions about the pool memberships.

Fees and other details

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	$50 per person $150 per family (maximum of five)
Non-residents	$60 per person $190 per family (maximum of five)
Seniors**	$40 per person
Non-member rate	$5 per person per day

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

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

Swimming Instruction Fees for Cardiff Pool
Registration Type	Fee
Residents	$50 per person for two week session.
Non-residents	$70 per person for two week session.

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

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