Lifeguards at the Canada Games Pool in Kamloops. (Image Credit: CFJC Today File)

By Victor Kaisar

Lifeguard Shortages

Kamloops set to offer more swim lessons, programming following boost to lifeguarding staff

Feb 28, 2026 | 2:00 PM

KAMLOOPS – The City of Kamloops expects to be able to offer more swimming lessons this summer thanks to an increase in lifeguards currently on the roster, and registration is set to begin in less than two weeks.

Carmin Mazzotta, the city’s community and culture director, says the city has 65 lifeguards on staff, adding that is an increase of about 20 in less than a year.

“We have significantly improved daytime ability,” Mazzotta said at this week’s livability and sustainability committee meeting. “Some really incredible work there with supervisor [Micah] Strecheniuk and her team.”

Mazzotta told the committee the city will now be able to offer more swimming lessons and aquatics programming at both the Westsyde Pool and Brocklehurst Pool this summer.

“[That] is great news for everyone who is aware of how quickly swim lessons get snapped up in this community,” Mazzotta added. “We know that that’s a life saving skill and something that we need to continue to provide for our community.”

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Issues around lifeguard availability came to a head last year, when the city reduced hours at the Westsyde Pool and Fitness Centre so lifeguards could be reassigned to the Canada Games Aquatic Centre at the Tournament Capital Centre (TCC).

That lack of lifeguards dated back to the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city also clarified.

“Since COVID, we’ve seen a 30-to-40 per cent decline in lifeguard applications across the country,” Sherri Holmes, the city’s sport recreation and wellness manager said in September. “We are having a challenge here in Kamloops with recruiting new lifeguards, particularly during the daytime.”

“We lost the majority of our senior lifeguards…to different careers,” Holmes added in a September report. “We are finding the majority of people who are applying are students. Unfortunately, those folks are unavailable during the daytime and this is where we are particularly struggling with staffing.”

In that report, Holmes noted the city has increased lifeguard recruitment cycles from three to five each year, adding between 15 and 20 candidates are interviewed per cycle. Holmes also noted at that time that “targeted recruitment initiatives” were being developed to attract lifeguards to work on weekdays.

“Really great progress in terms of our aquatics team,” Mazzotta added at this week’s meeting. “I’d be remiss not to mention our HR team. There is still some of the longer bigger picture industry-wide challenges around lifeguard shortages, but [we’ve] done really great work here.”

Swim Lesson Registration Starts March 10

Registration for summer swim lessons at City of Kamloops facilities is set to begin on March 10. Online registration will start at 6:30 a.m., while registration by phone (250-828-3500) or in person at the TCC, Westsyde Pool or the Kamloops Museum and Archives begins at 10:00 a.m.

Westsyde Pool and Brock Outdoor Pool will be offering standard lesson sets with eight to 12 lessons held twice per week over a longer period. Two-week lesson sets will still be offered at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre.

“We heard from families that the condensed two-week summer swim lesson sets can be difficult to fit into busy schedules,” a statement from the city said. “In response, [we are] excited to announce expanded swim lesson options for summer 2026.”

“These added options will give families more flexibility to choose a schedule that works best for their summer plans while supporting consistent skill development for swimmers of all ages.”

Swimming lesson schedules can be found online here. An online copy of the city’s latest spring/summer activity guide can be found here.