Dive Into April Pools Day for a Complimentary Water Safety Event!

Two people wearing life jackets holding paddles inside of the BWG Leisure Centre Pool area.

As people eagerly await the return of warm weather and sunshine and days spent by the pool and at the beach, prioritizing safety in water-related activities is crucial to ensuring a fun-filled and safe summer season. Dedicated to educating our community about water safety, the BWG Leisure Centre is proud to announce its 7^th Annual April Pools Day event on Saturday, April 13, 2024.

Two people wearing life jackets and holding paddles inside of the BWG Leisure Centre Pool

Join BWG’s aquatic team from 12:30 to 3:00 pm at the Bradford Lions Aquatic Centre (Leisure Centre) for this complimentary event designed to equip adults and children with lifelong water safety skills. This year’s spotlight will be on lifejacket use and boat safety, both critical aspects of water safety. According to the Lifesaving Society's 2018 Canadian Drowning Report, 84% of boating-related drowning victims were not wearing a lifejacket or personal flotation device (PFD).

“Every year, about 160 people drown in Ontario alone, yet almost every drowning death is preventable. It is through the dedication of organizations like the Lifesaving Society and the community outreach/education efforts of municipalities that we can reach the ultimate goal of zero! I am proud of the work our aquatics team has done year after year to raise awareness and organize community events, like April Pools Day, to ensure our residents exercise safe and responsible behaviour in and around water. I encourage all residents to participate in this important event and have some fun while learning life-saving skills.” – Mayor James Leduc

This educational and interactive community event will ensure local families are prepared for the upcoming summer season. Residents of all ages and swimmers of all skill levels are welcome to participate and learn drowning prevention strategies, proper lifejacket fitting and use, basic self-help skills, and rescue techniques for water emergencies.

Event Details

12:30 - 1:30 pm: Community display booths at the Community Corner of the Leisure Centre

1:30 - 3:00 pm: Free leisure swimming

2:00 pm: Relay race featuring teams from BWG Lifeguards and other community partners.

This year, the Aquatics Team is launching a fundraiser in support of the Lifesaving Society's Water Smart® Campaign. The team’s goal is to raise $3,000 for the community-funded campaign which aims to make Canadians “Water Smart” by encouraging them to exercise safe and responsible behaviour in and around water to prevent water-related injuries.

In the past, the Town of BWG has been honored to receive both the Darnell Challenge Cup and the Water Smart® Award from the Lifesaving Society. BWG is the current holder of the Water Smart® Award which is awarded to an affiliate for outstanding community service to drowning prevention education.

Thank you to the Bradford Lions Club for sponsoring this year’s event.

The Town of BWG offers swimming lessons and aquatic leadership programs. For more information or to register for a program, please visit www.townofbwg.com/BWGLeisureCentre.