Facilities and amenities

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in consultation with public health officials, the Town of Saugeen Shores may close or make adjustments to operations at recreational and leisure facilities. 

Due to the provincial emergency break shutdown, municipal facilities and amenities closed to the public include:

• Municipal Office (600 Tomlinson Dr, Port Elgin)
• Public Works facilities (339 Concession 6, Port Elgin and 429 Peel St., Southampton)
• Saugeen Shores Fire Department (612 Emma St., Port Elgin and 50 Victoria St. S, Southampton)
• Saugeen Shores Police Service (1240 MacKenzie Rd., Port Elgin)
• Centennial Pool
• The Plex and Rotary Hall
• Southampton Coliseum
• Community halls and meeting rooms (i.e. Rotary Hall, Green Room, Southampton Town Hall auditorium)
• Southampton Curling Club
• Port Elgin and Southampton Visitor Centres

Outdoor amenities

Trails, playgrounds and parks are open. Expanded year-round washrooms and garbage collection remain in place. Additional seasonal garbage cans will roll-out beginning mid-April. Seasonal washrooms will open ahead of the May long weekend.

Indoor recreation facilities

The Centennial Pool, Saugeen Shores Community Complex (The Plex) and the Southampton Coliseum are closed. All programs, activities and rentals in these facilities are cancelled or postponed until further notice. 

Outdoor recreation facilities

Outdoor recreational facilities such as ball diamonds, soccer fields and the skate park are open but team sports can not be practiced or played.

Recreation programs

• Swimming lessons and registered aquatic programs: Programs will be paused until further notice with a plan to resume following the shut-down if possible. Anyone who wishes to withdraw will receive a refund for remaining classes.

• Recreational swimming and skating: All activities are cancelled. Anyone already registered will receive a credit on their account. Credits will be processed beginning April 6.

• Ball hockey: Staff are monitoring the situation and will notify participants of any changes or cancellations closer to the program's start date of May 6, 2021.

Refunds will be processed starting the week of April 6 as required. To request a refund send an email or call 519-832-2008 x131

Spring cleaning week (April 17-23)

The coordinated campaign is postponed at this time. For anyone who would still like to help out, staff encourage you to bring a bag while out for exercise and collect litter along the way.

Hours

Review our pool schedules below for Hours of Operations.

Pool schedules

View activities online, or download our pool schedule for swim times and descriptions.

• Winter pool schedule

Winter swimming lessons

Session dates: March 5 to April 26, 2021 

Registration: Registration is now closed

How to register: Register online at SaugeenShores.ca/Register or call 519-832-2008 ext. 131

Winter Swim Guide

Spring swimming lessons

Are you interested in our modified group lessons? We're planning for a spring swimming lesson session (May/June). Sessions will be 7 weeks. Help staff build the spring schedule. The public can register for the level(s) they’re interested in for the next session. A few things to know:

• There is no cost to register
• Registering for a level does not hold or guarantee any spots
• Only register if you are somewhat likely or likely to participate
• Registration will open February 17 and remain open until April 12
• Register online at SaugeenShores.ca/Register, search for appropriate swim level

 Important notes

• Instructors may demonstrate skills in the water but will instruct from deck
• Instructors will not provide hands-on assistance
• Parent/caregiver must be in the water for all preschool levels and Swimmer 1-3
• Minimum age for a private lesson is 8. Participants must be in Swimmer 4 or up
• Participants must maintain physical distance from each other and Instructor
• Maximum of 3 participants per group class (preschool to Swimmer 3)
• Maximum of 4 participants per group class (Swimmer 4 and up)

Fees

• Lane swim - $4.50 per visit (HST included)
• Aquafit - $6.75 per visit (HST included)
• Group swimming lesson - $54.53
• Private swimming lesson - $166.32

Payment for recreational swims is due at the time of registering for your spot.

Punch cards

Punch cards are not available for sale at this time.

Anyone with an existing punch card can bring their card with them to the pool on their first visit back. Cards will be collected and the remaining number of punches will be credited onto their online account for use.

Memberships

Memberships are not available for sale again at this time. Those with existing pool memberships will be refunded for the the balance of the membership (back dated to March 13, 2020) as an account credit or full refund. Contact us at 519-832-2008 ext. 131 or recreation@saugeenshores.ca.

All participants must pre-screen for COVID-19 symptoms prior to arriving at the pool. If you or any member of your household have any symptoms or answer yes to any of the screening questions, do not come to the pool. 

Use the Town's screening checklist or Ontario's screening tool prior to every visit.

If you feel sick, please stay home.

Arriving at the pool

1. Wear your bathing suit underneath your clothes
2. Arrive 5-10 minutes prior to program start time. Patrons will not be permitted into change rooms earlier
3. Enter through the north (accessible ramp) entrance located at the front of the school facing Gustavus Street
4. Masks are required inside the school and aquatic facility (except in the pool)
5. Stop and sanitize at sanitation station
6. Check-in at the front counter with staff before entering the change rooms
7. Pick up a plastic bin for your belongings
8. Remove footwear and leave in the lobby
9. Masks are required in the change rooms until you head into the shower

Leaving the pool

1. Limit showering to a quick rinse off following your program. Shower at home
2. Put on mask once returning to the change room
3. Exit change rooms no more than 5-10 minutes after program end time 
4. Stop and sanitize at sanitation station
5. Drop off your plastic bin in the discard area in the lobby 
6. Exit facility through the east doors (the usual main entrance) to parking lot

Face coverings or masks

• Face coverings or masks are required in all areas of the facility except on the pool deck, in the pool, or in the showers

During programs

• Program capacities are reduced to ensure physical distancing
• Capacity limits depend on the type of program
• All programs must be pre-registered including lane swims and aquafit classes
• Equipment from the pool is not available during phase 1
• Patrons can bring in their own equipment. It must be sanitized prior to arrival and immediately following the program. Disinfectant will be available for use
• When the instructor/lifeguard blows the whistle at the end of a program, exit pool immediately
• Slide and tarzan rope are not available
• Programs will be introduced in phases with a minimum of 2 weeks between each phase

On the pool deck

• Follow directional arrows and signage to move around the pool deck
• Leave bin of belongings in designated area
• Water bottle fill station is open for use
• Spectators are not permitted on the pool deck or in viewing gallery
• Keep 2 metres apart from other patrons and staff at all times

Change rooms and washrooms

• Maximum capacity per change room: 12 patrons
• Changing stalls are not available at this time
• Patrons will pick up a bin for their belongings when they check in
• Locations for changing are marked in ensure physical distancing
• Bring all belongings onto pool deck and leave in designated area
• Patrons must shower before entering the pool deck
• Masks are required in the change rooms until patrons enter shower area
• Once on the pool deck, follow directional arrows and listen to staff at all times
• Washrooms are available for use; 1 person is permitted at a time
• Hair dryers are not available
• Water fountains are not available
• Baby change tables are available for use
• Keep 2 metres apart from other patrons in the change room at all times

In order to manage facility capacity, all participants must register for recreational programs, including lane swims and aquafit classes. You can register online or by calling 519-832-2008 ext. 131.

Registering online

If you have an account already, log in and search for your programs.

If you or your children have participated in swimming lessons or camps or you've rented a facility, you likely have an account. If you've forgotten your password, input your email address and click on "forgot password." A temporary password will be sent to the email address you provided. You will then be prompted to create a permanent password.

If you do not have an account, select create an account. Follow the prompts to create an account. You can add other family members to your account once it is set up.

Follow our how-to guide to setting up a account.

Program registration

1. Register for programs online anytime, and up to 30 minutes prior to the start time
2. Register online, weekdays by phone 519-832-2008 ext. 131, or in-person when leaving a program
3. Maximum of 3 registrations per week
4. Registration is first come, first serve
5. Payment is required at the time of booking online or by phone
6. Payment will be accepted in-person if pre-registration is made in-person after class
7. Programs open for registration 7 days in advance
8. Walk-ins will not be permitted
9. If registering by phone, do not leave a voicemail to confirm your spot. You must receive verbal confirmation that you're registered.

Questions or challenges with account set-up or registration?

Contact us at 519-832-2008 ext. 131 or recreation@saugeenshores.ca.

Refund policy for recreational programs

1. Refund credits will be applied for pre-registered programs if participants contact staff 48 hours prior to the program or if they are unable to participate because they are sick the day of the program. Staff must be notified in the event of illness
2. No refunds will be provided if participants do not notify staff
3. Full refunds will be issued if programs are cancelled by the Town for any reason

Pool admission standards

The current pool admission standards remain in effect.

Swimming lesson guidelines

Swimming lessons are now available for registration. Due to physical distancing requirements, the following measures are in place:

• Preschool to Swimmer 3: parent in the pool participating in the lesson
• Swimmer 4 and up: no parent participation
• Private lessons available for Swimmer 4 and up

Registration or general inquiries

Corby Leitch, Programs and Facilities Booking Coordinator

519-832-2008 ext 131, recreation@saugeenshores.ca

Program and pool inquiries

Michael Hundt, Aquatic Supervisor

519-832-2627, michael.hundt@saugeenshores.ca