The City of Prince Albert is significantly expanding its aquatic programming for fall 2026, offering approximately 1,750 spaces in swimming lessons, leadership programs and lifeguard certification courses at the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre.
Running from September through December, the expanded schedule represents the largest selection of swimming lessons and aquatic certification courses the city has offered at the facility. Municipal officials say the increase is designed to respond to sustained community demand while improving access to swimming and water-safety education for residents of different ages and skill levels.
Prince Albert Responds to Demand for More Swimming Lessons
The expansion comes after years of feedback from families and residents seeking additional opportunities to enrol in swimming programs.
“For many years, we’ve heard from parents and residents who wanted to see more swimming lesson opportunities in Prince Albert,” said Riley Janes, Acting Aquatics Manager for the City of Prince Albert. “This expanded schedule is a direct response to that demand. By offering more lesson spaces than ever before, we’re helping more children, youth, and adults gain essential swimming and water safety skills while making aquatic programming more accessible for our community.”
Beyond recreational swimming skills, the fall schedule includes leadership and lifeguard certification courses. Those programs can provide participants with qualifications for employment in aquatic facilities while supporting the development of trained lifeguards and instructors.
The expanded programming also reflects the city’s broader effort to make recreation services accessible while responding to changing levels of demand at the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre.
Registration Split Into Two Phases
Rather than releasing all fall spaces simultaneously, Prince Albert will divide registration into two periods. The approach will allow city staff to monitor enrolment during the first part of the season and make adjustments before November and December programs begin.
September and October Registration Opens in August
The first registration period will cover programming scheduled for September and October, with approximately 845 swimming lesson spaces expected to be available.
Residents will be able to view September and October programs online beginning August 12.
Registration for Prince Albert residents will open August 19 at 10 a.m., giving local residents priority access to available spaces. Non-resident registration will follow on August 26 at 10 a.m.
The city is encouraging families and other prospective participants to review the available programs before registration begins. Doing so could help participants identify suitable lesson levels and preferred schedules before enrolment opens.
November and December Programs Could Be Adjusted
Registration for the second phase, covering November and December programming, is scheduled to open in October.
Unlike a fixed schedule established months in advance, the city plans to use registration patterns from the September and October period to help determine how programming should be structured during the final two months of the year.
That could allow officials to adjust the mix of courses and lesson spaces based on which programs attract the strongest demand.
Aquatic Certification Courses Expand Training Opportunities
Alongside regular swimming lessons, the fall schedule will include a range of leadership and lifeguard certification courses.
Certification programming is an important part of municipal aquatic operations because trained instructors and lifeguards are required to safely operate pools and deliver swimming programs. Expanding access to those courses can also create opportunities for youth and adults interested in developing skills that could lead to recreation-sector employment.
The combination of introductory swimming instruction and advanced certification courses means the fall schedule will serve participants ranging from new swimmers to people pursuing aquatic leadership qualifications.
Expanded Schedule Aims to Improve Community Access
With approximately 1,750 spaces available between September and December, Prince Albert’s fall aquatic schedule marks a substantial expansion of programming at the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre.
By splitting registration into two phases, the city will also have an opportunity to respond to actual enrolment patterns rather than relying solely on advance projections.
Residents planning to participate are being encouraged to review programs ahead of the registration periods and prepare for the applicable opening date. Full program details and online registration are available through the City of Prince Albert’s swimming program webpage.