Aquatics | Township of Wellington North

Make a Splash with us!

Please note we are a "Cash Only" facility.
Arthur and Area Aquatics Centre; 158 Domville St., Arthur.
Find answers to frequently asked questions below, or connect with our team recreation@wellington-north.com

Swimming Lessons

Registration for Swimming Lessons opens on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 8:00 AM. The Township of Wellington North offers traditional classes, semi-private and private swimming lessons. Traditional classes will run over a two week time frame, Monday to Friday, for a total of 10 classes. Semi-Private and Private classes will be available in blocks of five, running Monday to Friday.

2025 Swimming Lessons Schedule (PDF)

Parent & Tot Program Overview
Spend quality time with your child while you both have fun and 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.
- Parent & Tot 1 (4-12 months): With a caregiver the child will explore the water through buoyancy, movement skills, introduction to PFD’s and entries. Learn how to help your child play in water with comfort
  and confidence.
- Parent & Tot 2 (12-24 months): With a caregiver the child will perform assisted front and back floats, learn how to travel at the surface by kicking and introduction to entries with a PFD. This level teaches children to get their face wet and blow bubbles.
- Parent & Tot 3 (24-36 months): With a caregiver the child will have fun jumping into the water with assistance. They learn how to hold their breath and open their eyes under water. Kicking on front and back
  provide the building blocks for orientation and stroke development
Preschool Program Overview
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.
- Preschool A (ages 3-5): These preschoolers will have fun learning to get in and out of the water. We’ll help them jump into chest deep water. They’ll use floats and glide on their front and back, and learn to get their face wet and blow bubbles underwater. Caregiver optional.
- Preschool B (ages 3-5): These preschoolers learn to jump into chest deep water by themselves, and get in and get out wearing a lifejacket. They’ll submerge and exhale underwater. While wearing a lifejacket they’ll glide on their front and back.
- Preschool C (ages 3-5): These youngsters will try both jumping and a sideways entry into deep water while wearing a lifejacket. They’ll recover objects from the bottom in waist-deep water. They’ll work on kicking and gliding through the water on their front and back
Swimmer Program Overview
The Swimmer program makes sure your children learn how to swim before they get in too deep. Swimmer progressions accommodate children 5 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.
- Beginner (ages 6-8): This is an introductory class for children ages 6 to 8 with little or no experience in the water. Participants will learn head and face submersion: front/back and side swim (assisted). The swim instructor works to ensure that the participants become comfortable in the water and have fun developing a basic foundation of water skills.
- Swimmer 1 (6 years+): Swimmers become comfortable jumping into water with and without a PFD. They open their eyes, exhale and hold their breath underwater. They work on floats, glides and kicking on front and back.
- Swimmer 2 (6 years+): Advance beginners jump into deeper water and become comfortable falling sideways into the water wearing a PFD. Swimmers support themselves at the surface without an aid, recover an object in chest-deep water. Fitness swim in 10-15m.
- Swimmer 3 (6 years+): Swimmers develop front and back crawl strokes, and explore whip kick in a vertical position. Swimmers tread water for up to 30 seconds and learn to transition from front to back flutter kick. Fitness swim in 20-15m.
- Swimmer 4 (6 years+): Swimmers work towards stride dives and standing dives into deep water. They improve the front crawl, backcrawl and whip kick. Swimmers are introduced to a 3m underwater swim. Fitness swim is 50m.
- Swimmer 5 (6 years+): Junior swimmers shallow dive into deep water and perform in-water back somersaults. They achieve the Canadian Swim to Survive Standard: roll into deep water, tread 1 minute and swim 50m. Swimmers continue to develop front and back crawl while breaststroke skills are introduced. Fitness swim is 100m.
- Swimmer 6 (6 years+): Intermediate swimmers increase efficiency in front crawl, back crawl, and work to develop breaststroke skills. They are introduced to stride entries, scissor kick and vertical dolphin kick. They also develop strength and power by performing front and back crawl sprints. Fitness swim is 150m.
- Swimmer 7 (6 years+): Intermediate swimmers master dolphin kick, diving and eggbeater. They are introduced to sculling and continue to maximize efficiency in front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke. Fitness Swim is 300m.
- Swimmer 8 (8 years+) Swimmers rise to the challenge of advanced aquatic skills including head and foot first surface dives and a 25m obstacle swim. First aid focuses on assessment of conscious victims, contacting EMS and treatment for bleeding. They swim lengths of front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke. Fitness swim is 350m.
- Swimmer 9 (8 years+): Swimmers continue stroke development with 75m swims of front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke. Lifesaving skills include a rescue with a buoyant aid. First aid focuses on assessment of unconscious victims, treatment of victims in shock and obstructed airway procedures. Fitness swim is 500m.
- Swimmer 10 (8 years+) Advanced swimmers develop each stroke over 100m. They also learn lifesaving skills such as entries with aids and removal of unconscious victims. First aid focuses on treatment of victim with bone and joint injuries and respiratory emergencies. Swimming drills develop a strong lifesaving foundation. Fitness swim is 600m.
The Township is thrilled to provide both Semi-Private and Private classes, available in five-session blocks from Monday to Friday. For those interested in semi-private lessons, we suggest that one person in your group registers for a private lesson first, and then contacts our team recreation@wellington-north.com to add additional learners to the group.
Semi-Private
Semi-private lessons are cost-effective, allowing learners to share expenses while benefiting from personalized attention in a small group setting. Additionally, semi-private lessons provide flexibility, enabling a customized learning experience that caters to the group's needs.
Private
Private lessons offer individualized instruction, focusing entirely on the learner's specific needs, pace, and learning style. With the instructor's undivided attention, students can achieve faster progress and a deeper understanding of the material. Private lessons also offer flexible scheduling and are ideal for targeting specific skills or areas requiring extra help.
General
1. Refunds will not be granted once a course or program has been completed.
  Refunds requested after the start of a course or program will only be issued for medical reasons.
2. A $10.00 administration fee applies to all refund applications, except for those exceptions outlined below, or cancelled by the Recreation, Community & Economic Development Department.
3. A full refund will be issued for any course or program cancelled by the Recreation, Community & Economic Development Department, with no administration fee applied, notwithstanding clauses listed above.
4. No administration fee will be charged for transfers within a program.
5. Refunds will not be issued for swimming lessons cancelled due to inclement weather or facility closures, except in the following cases:
  If more than 40% of classes are impacted (4 out of 10 lessons) a request can be made for consideration for partial reimbursement of the program pending review.
  If a private or semi-private class is cancelled. The township will work to provide alternative lesson dates.
Refund Procedure
- 10 Business Days or More: Cancellations made 10 business days or more before the course or program start date will receive a full refund, minus a $10.00 administration fee.
- 5 Business Days or More: Cancellations made 5 business days or more before the course or program start date will receive a 50% refund of the program fee. The administration fee will be waived.
- 5 Business Days or Less: Cancellations made 5 business days or less before the course or program start date will not be eligible for a refund. The administration fee will be waived.
  
  Phone: 519.848.3620 x 4335
  Email: recreation@wellington-north.com
  Mailing: 7490 Sideroad 7W
  Kenilworth, ON N0G 2E0

Public Swimming

The Township of Wellington North offers a variety of programming opportunities at the Arthur and Area Aquatics Centre, including public and family swims, sensory sensitive swims, aquafit, and specialty classes - we can't wait for you to dive in with us this summer!

Pool Schedule 2025 (PDF)

FREE Public Swims (Sponsored)

Thank you to our generous sponsors for making FREE public swimming at the Arthur Pool possible!

Date	Time	Sponsor
June 6	7:00 - 8:00 p.m.	Arthur Legion
June 7	1:30 - 3:00 p.m.	Deryck West, Desjardins Insurance
June 14	1:30 - 3:00 p.m.	Cooperslane Kennels
June 21	1:30 - 3:00 p.m.	Arthur United Church
June 27	7:00 - 8:00 p.m.	Coffey Plumbing
June 28	1:30 - 3:00 p.m.	Arthur Optimist Club
July 1	1:30 - 3:00 p.m.	Viking-Cives Ltd.
July 4	7:00 - 8:00 p.m.	Arthur Legion
July 5	1:30 - 3:00 p.m.	B.E.N. Stoneworks Ltd.
July 11	7:00 - 8:00 p.m.	Coffey Plumbing
July 12	1:30 - 3:00 p.m.	Cooperslane Kennels
July 19	1:30 - 3:00 p.m.	Arthur Legion
August 1	7:00 - 8:00 p.m.	Coffey Plumbing
August 2	1:30 - 3:00 p.m.	Viking-Cives Ltd.
August 4	1:30 - 3:00 p.m.	B.E.N. Stoneworks Ltd.
August 9	1:30 - 3:00 p.m.	Arthur Legion
August 16	1:30 - 3:00 p.m.	B.E.N. Stoneworks Ltd.
August 23	1:30 - 3:00 p.m.	Deryck West, Desjardins Insurance

How much is public swimming?

Pass Type	2025 Rate (no HST)
Infants and toddlers (under 2)	$0.00
1 visit - Individual	$5.00
1 visit - Family: up to 5 members same house	$15.00
1 visit - Aquafit	$10.00
Season Pass - Individual	$115.00
Season Pass - Family: up to 5 members same house	$260.00
Season Pass - Aquafit	$75.00

Admission Standards for Public Pools
Admission Standards for Public Pools were developed by the Office of the Chief Coroner to assist lifeguards and assistant lifeguards to maintain adequate surveillance over the whereabouts and activities of young bathers while they are inside the pool enclosure. The Ministry of Health and Long- Term Care strongly supports these recommendations for the purpose of preventing injuries and fatalities.
- Children under the age of 10 who are non-swimmers must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is at least 12 years of age and responsible for their direct supervision (within arms reach at all times).
- Children aged 7-9 may be admitted to the swimming pool unaccompanied if they can demonstrate comfort in the water and pass the facility swim test administered by a lifeguard. Lifeguards may use their professional judgement to determine whether a child’s swimming ability is deemed as adequate for a “swimmer” or not.
- All children under the age of 6 years must be accompanied and directly supervised by a guardian, with a maximum of 2 children for each parent or guardian.
- Non-swimmers MUST remain in arm’s reach of their guardians at all times. Unsuccessful swimmer’s must wait until the following day to make another attempt to pass the swim test.
- Caregivers age 12-17 are only allowed to supervise up to 2 children at a time. An adult aged 18+ may supervise a maximum of 4 bathers, of which only 2 can be under the age of 6.
*Swim test criteria: Front swim with face in water as much as possible one length, pull self out of pool, jump back in and tread for 1 minute *

Rent the Pool

The Arthur and Area Aquatic Centre is available for private rentals such as birthday parties, family reunions or team events, on Saturdays from 11:00AM to 12:00PM, 3:00PM to 4:00PM and 4:00PM to 5:00PM (subject to availability).

To book a private pool rental, email centralbookings@wellington-north.com.

Rental Type	2025 Rental Rate (plus HST)
Pool Rental (1 hour, 0-25 people, 2 Guards)	$130.00
Pool Rental (1 hour, 26+ people, 3 Guards)	$165.00
Pool rental School rate (1 hour, 3 guards)	$90.00

Splash Pads

The Township of Wellington North is proud to have two wonderful splash pads and would like to thank the Arthur Optimist Club and Mount Forest Lions Club for their leadership and significant contributions in bringing these recreation amenities to our community. Our splash pads foster physical development, provide sensory stimulation, encourage the development of gross motor movement, and are accessible to all ages and abilities. They are a great place to spend a hot summer morning!

Mount Forest Outdoor Pool

For more information on the construction of a new outdoor pool in Mount Forest, please visit the Mount Forest Pool.