CHAT News File Photo

By Chris Brown

Reopening waitlists to gauge demand

City trying to find solutions to parents’ swimming lesson frustrations

Dec 13, 2021 | 10:06 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Parents were quickly frustrated last month when spaces in children’s swimming lessons were gone within minutes of being opened last month.

Scott Richter, manager of business and innovation and the interim recreation and leisure manager for the Parks & Recreation department, explains the system was previously capped at a low number, as the intent was to fill cancelled registration spots.

Now the City of Medicine Hat is reopening the waitlists and asking parents to register for the classes they are most interested in for their children to better understand the times and sessions that are most in-demand.

“This data will allow us to see which times and dates parents and guardians prefer so we’ll be better able to adjust and adapt accordingly,” says Richter in a news release from the city.

The program waitlists will be open until the winter session of swimming lessons begins in January.

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Richter says they understand the frustration of parents and the importance of swimming for families. He adds that 726 kids were registered in less than five minutes for swim programs available during the winter registration process, and there was great interest in the new AquaStart program, designed to help young swimmers transition into Swim Kids 1.

The city continues to look to hire several part-time lifeguard/instructor positions for the potential additional lessons in spring and summer. For more information, including a list of qualifications, please visit the careers page.

The city is also working with the YMCA and gathering information from other municipalities on swimming lesson demand.

“We will find the innovative solutions we know exist, but before we can do that, we need those numbers to understand that demand. Then we can find appropriate space for children at times that work for parents,” Richter said.

Staff are continuing to offer free swim assessments. You can call 403-502-8566 for more information.