Wilson outdoor pool features a large shallow end for families and guests of all ages.

On this page:

  1. Contact information
  2. Hours
  3. Parking and transit
  4. Swimming lessons
  5. Single-visit swims
  6. Pool guidelines
  7. Pool closures and weather policy
  8. In the neighbourhood

Contact information

Address: 78 Wilson Avenue

Phone number: 519-741-2200, ext. 3479


Hours

Wilson outdoor pool will open for the season on Saturday, June 17. See you then!


Parking and transit

Free parking is available off Wilson Avenue.

Grand River Transit (GRT) route 28 stops on Wilson Avenue.

GRT no longer offers paper bus tickets. Fare payment information is available on their website.

Bike racks are available at Wilson outdoor pool.

Get directions on Google Maps


Swimming lessons

Registration for spring swimming lessons is open now.

Mark your calendars with these future registration dates:

  • summer swimming lessons: June 6 at 8:30 a.m.
  • fall swimming lessons: August 15 at 8:30 a.m.
  • winter swimming lessons: December 5 at 8:30 a.m.

Register on ActiveNet

Register for swimming lessons or other programs on ActiveNet. Visit our ActiveNet questions page to find answers to common questions or watch our YouTube video to learn more about searching on ActiveNet.

Family swims are also available.


Single-visit swims

Subscribe to this page to get an email when we add swimming information for 2023.


Pool guidelines

Open the accordions below to learn about our pool guidelines.

Age requirements

For swim admission purposes, a caregiver is defined as someone 12 years or older, responsible for the child.

A swimmer to caregiver ratio defines the number of swimmers that can be supervised by a caregiver. Example: (4:1 ratio) means four swimmers can be supervised by one caregiver.

  • under 10 years old: requires supervision
  • under 7 years old: must be within arm’s reach of the caregiver in the shallow end (2:1 ratio)
  • 7 to 9 years who have not passed a swim test: must be within arm’s reach of the caregiver in the shallow end (4:1 ratio) or (8:1 ratio) if all swimmers are wearing lifejackets.
    • lifejackets may need to be supplied by swimmers as there is a limited supply at each facility
    • lifejackets may not be available at all programs
    • lifejackets must be the appropriate size for the swimmer and approved by Transport Canada
    • water wings, puddle jumpers or any other floatation devices are not acceptable as lifejackets
  • 7 to 9 years who have passed a swim test: may swim unaccompanied as long as a caregiver remains in the pool environment to supervise.
Deep end and swimmer safety

An aquatic staff member may request any swimmer attempts a swim test at any time. To ensure the safety of all swimmers, if at any point a swimmer exhibits any signs that they are tired or weak, aquatic staff may ask them to leave any deep area of a pool and return to the shallow area to attempt a swim test. This also includes anyone over the age of 10. It is up to the lifeguards on duty to allow swimmers to return to the deep area.

Swim admission test

To provide a safe and enjoyable aquatic environment, we've established a facility swim test standard to help evaluate participants’ swimming ability. This test is used in conjunction with the Wristband Identification Program.

Open the accordions below to learn about the swim admission test.

Swim test assessment

The requirements of the patron are to demonstrate comfort in the water and swim on their front for 20 metres in the designated swim test area of the pool. The swim test will also include a change in direction.

To properly assess a participant’s swimming ability, aquatic staff must observe the following during the swim test:

  • no touching of the bottom or wall of the pool
  • completion of the entire distance comfortably and confidently
  • swimmer’s body must be positioned horizontal and near the surface
  • continuous swimming with no stopping or resting at any point
  • strong forward movement throughout
  • an open water change of direction
  • swimmer’s ability to submerge face under water
  • swimmer’s ability to take a breath while swimming
Swim Card

Children between 7 and 9 years old, who successfully complete the swim test, will receive a swim test card. Swimmers must present their swim test cards to receive a green band before admission to a recreation swim.

Wristband Identification Program

Upon entry to a pool, visitors 0 to 9 years old will be given a coloured wristband to help staff identify their swimming ability. The colours are defined as follows:

Red band

  • children 0 to 6 years old must be accompanied and within arm’s reach of caregiver.
  • caregiver ratio 2:1

Yellow band

  • children 7 to 9 years old are assumed to be non-swimmers and must be accompanied and within arm’s reach of caregiver
  • caregiver ratio 4:1 without lifejackets
  • caregiver ratio 8:1 with lifejackets for all children

Green band

  • children 7 to 9 years old who have passed the Swim Admission Test may swim unaccompanied
  • caregiver must remain in the pool environment to supervise.

Blue band

  • all swimmers 10 years and older will get a blue wristband to show that they have paid admission to the pool

Pool closures and weather policy

Pool closures during a program

If staff need to close the pool during a program, we’ll issue a credit in these ways:

  • pre-registered programs: credit to ActiveNet account
  • drop-in programs: complimentary pass, see pool entrance staff

We will not issue refunds or credits if you choose to leave due to light rain or cool weather.

Weather policy

For your safety, we’ll close the pool in these situations:

  • heavy rainfall
  • lightning or thunder

We will keep the pool will remain closed for 30 minutes after staff hear the last bolt or lightning or sound of thunder.

If in doubt, call us to check if we are open.


In the neighbourhood

Wilson pool is next to Kingsdale Community Centre, where there are programs available for the whole family, including:

  • dance lessons
  • piano lessons
  • yoga classes
  • book club
  • card clubs
  • summer camps

Learn more on our Kingsdale Community Centre page or register on ActiveNet.

Wilson Park has a splash pad, located at 78 Wilson Avenue.

Wilson Park also has four baseball diamonds and one sports field, which you can book for private use. Check our field conditions page to see if the diamonds are open.