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Cornwall Aquatic Centre and Pools Open to Public

June 30, 2020
By Bob Peters

Cornwall Ontario – The Aquatic Centre and a select number of outdoor pools have reopened to the public following a lengthy closure due to COVID-19 concerns.

Public safety will be at the forefront of facility operations, with special provisions in place to meet Eastern Ontario Health Unit guidelines. Three outdoor pools (Mattice, St. Francis, and Reg Campbell) are open for morning and afternoon swims, while the Aquatic Centre is open mornings during weekdays only. Please read on for more information:

Aquatic Centre

Use of the Aquatic Centre includes the following restrictions:

Physical distancing is required inside and outside the pool, with household members excepted,
Swimmers must use the designated entrance and exit to the pool area,
Swimmers will be asked screening questions upon their arrival at the pool,
Swimmers must shower before entering the pool and sanitize their hands,
Swimmers will be limited to 25 in the pool, and
Residents who are sick must stay home and not use public facilities.

The Kinsmen Pool is open, but all other amenities are closed, including the slide, whirlpool, and wading pool. Please also note that…

Swimmers will have limited access to equipment, which will be sanitized after each use.
The diving board is not available.
Some showers and lockers have been decommissioned to allow for proper distancing in the change rooms.
Admission policies (click here) must be followed.
No swimming lessons will be offered at this time.

The operating hours of the Aquatic Centre will be restricted to mornings (7 a.m. to 12 p.m.) Monday to Friday. The Aquatic Centre will be closed weekends. The schedule is as follows.

8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m: lane swim (one person per lane)
9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.: Aqua Fitness
10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.: adult senior swim (first-come, first-serve)
11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.: adult senior swim (first-come, first-serve)

The schedule is subject to change – please check the Aquatic Centre’s website for updates. Swimmers can call ahead (613-933-3586) to reserve and pay for a spot for lane swims and AquaFit, as spaces are limited. Staff are in the office Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Aquatic Centre will be closed on Wednesday, July 1. Most annual maintenance took place during the COVID-19 closure, which will allow the Aquatic Centre to remain open through September.

Outdoor Pools

The City of Cornwall has opened three outdoor pools : Mattice, St. Francis, and Reg Campbell Pools.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. weekends, weather-permitting. No swimming fees will be charged.

Public swimming sessions will last 45 minutes at a time, starting on the hour. Between each swim, 15 minutes will be used for lifeguards to disinfect surfaces and move in the next group of swimmers.

Outdoor Pool Restrictions:

Physical distancing is required inside and outside the pool, with household members excepted,
Swimmers must use the designated entrance and exit to the pool area,
Swimmers will be asked screening questions upon their arrival at the pool,
Swimmers must shower before entering the pool and sanitize their hands,
Swimmers will be limited to 20 in the large pool and 10 in the wading pool, and
Residents who are sick must stay home and not use public facilities.

Please also note that…

No equipment will be provided. Swimmers should bring their own floatation equipment.
Diving boards are not available.
Admission policies (click here) must be followed.
No swimming lessons will be offered at this time.

Outdoor pools will be open Canada Day (Wednesday, July 1) from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Two outdoor pools (Terry Fox and St. Joseph’s) are still being prepared for opening. The City will announce an opening date for these as soon as possible.

For more about safe outdoor play during COVID-19, click here.

For a list of open outdoor recreation facilities, click here.

For more information on how the City of Cornwall is responding to COVID-19, please click here.

Business Reopening Toolkit

Cornwall Economic Development has put together a toolkit to help businesses reopen. The toolkit includes guidelines and a maximum occupancy calculator along with signs and posters that can be downloaded and printed: