Prince Albert families eager to get their children into swim lessons will see significantly expanded options this winter, as the City of Prince Albert prepares to open registration for a greatly enlarged session at the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre. The City confirmed this week that hundreds of new lesson spots will be made available between January and March, marking the largest aquatic program offering since the facility opened.
According to a municipal news release, the City will publish its full list of winter course offerings online on December 12, giving parents several days to review schedules and plan ahead. Registration for city residents opens December 15 at 8 a.m., while non-residents can register beginning December 22.
The expanded slate of lessons comes in response to sustained demand for swim programming since the long-anticipated leisure centre officially launched earlier this year. The fall session saw roughly 150 spots offered, many of which were filled within minutes of registration opening. This winter, the City plans to offer more than 700 lesson spaces — nearly a fivefold increase.
In the release, officials attributed the growth to ongoing staffing efforts within the aquatics program, noting that the City is gradually ramping up capacity as more certified instructors are hired and trained. The municipality has repeatedly emphasized aquatics as a priority service area, particularly with the opening of the new multi-use facility that includes pools, water features, fitness amenities, and community spaces.
“Providing more families with the opportunity to learn essential water skills is a priority,” said Riley Janes, Acting Recreation Coordinator – Aquatics. “As our team grows, we are excited to offer more lessons and meet the strong community interest in aquatic programs.”
The surge in lesson availability reflects a broader mandate to increase access to recreational services in a city where many families have long waited for expanded aquatic infrastructure. Before the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre opened, Prince Albert’s previous aquatic facility faced capacity limitations and aging infrastructure that restricted programming. The new centre — built in partnership with several community groups and supported by regional donors — has allowed the City to modernize and grow its aquatics offerings.
Municipal officials say the winter expansion marks an important milestone, but note that incremental growth will continue throughout 2024 and beyond. The aquatics team is still onboarding new staff, and additional instructors are expected to join the program in the coming months. That onboarding period will gradually enable higher instructor-to-student ratios, more course variety, and more consistent program scheduling.
For many families, swimming lessons are considered a key safety resource in a region with abundant lakes and waterways. Local recreation leaders have regularly pointed to the importance of early water safety training, particularly as outdoor aquatic activities remain part of life throughout northern Saskatchewan. The City has also highlighted the benefits of year-round indoor aquatic programming, from physical fitness to developing lifelong swimming skills.
Demand for winter programs is typically strong, with many families registering children across multiple session blocks. The City notes that its online system, launched earlier this year, is designed to streamline registration and reduce wait times compared to previous processes. With hundreds of new spaces coming online, officials anticipate that more households will be able to secure lessons without the high registration pressure seen earlier in the year.
The City encourages residents to review the full course list as soon as schedules are posted, noting that offerings will include a range of levels for different ages and abilities. While the release does not detail the specific mix of programs, previous sessions have included preschool levels, learn-to-swim levels for school-aged children, youth and adult lessons, and specialized sessions such as private instruction and advanced training.
As Prince Albert continues to build out capacity at the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre, municipal staff expect future program seasons to expand further. The City has also suggested that community partnerships and staff development initiatives may create opportunities for new aquatic programs, including leadership and lifeguard training.
Registration information and program listings will be available at citypa.ca/swimming starting December 12.
