**** HRM Media Release
Municipal beaches and outdoor pools open on July 1 for summer season
Many municipal beaches, the outdoor pool in Bedford (Shore Drive) and the Halifax Common splash pad will officially open to the public on Thursday, July 1.
Pools
The Cole Harbour outdoor pool and splash pad will delay opening until mid-July, and the Halifax Common Pool remains closed at this time. The Halifax Common Pool is currently being assessed to determine the work required to be able to reopen. More information will follow.
Due to ongoing public health restrictions, swim times must be booked in advance for all indoor and outdoor pools at halifax.ca/myrec.
Splash pads
The following splash pads are now open:
- Bayers-Westwood
- George Dixon Centre
- Isleville Street
- Westmount
- Sackville (Kinsman)
The Halifax Common splash pad will open on July 1.
Beaches
There are a variety of beaches, lakes, and outdoor pools across the Halifax region, many of which are supervised by trained lifeguards. All municipal lifeguards hold a National Lifeguard Service certification and are equipped with emergency supplies to help with water rescues.
At most municipal beaches, lifeguard supervision will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day throughout the summer months. There is no weekend supervision at Kinap Beach.
Note: Albro Lake and Kinap beaches are currently closed to swimming, due to high bacteria levels in the water.
Note: Nova Scotia Environment & Climate Change has issued a Risk Advisory for Grand Lake. Due to the presence of blue-green algae earlier this month, the municipality will not be opening Oakfield Beach for swimming supervision this summer. Once a blue-green algae bloom has been confirmed in a lake, there is potential of a bloom reforming, especially after multiple days of warm weather.
The bloom identified in Grand Lake on June 10 and 13 was confirmed to be a different type of algae than what has previously formed in other municipal lakes in past years. This different type of algae, called a benthic mat, grows along the bottom of lakes, produces a different type of toxin, and is more difficult to identify. The municipality’s blue-green algae response protocols do not currently address this type of bloom, and more work is required to determine if they can be risk-managed differently.
Residents who enjoy visiting Oakfield Beach could instead consider visiting Dollar Lake Beach (provincial), Springfield Lake Beach (municipal), or one of the other municipally supervised beaches.
Residents are advised to contact 311 if they suspect a blue-green algae bloom may be present in a municipal lake.
Note: St. Mary’s Boat Club will open for weekend canoe and paddle board rentals, as well as evening paddle, night on July 1. Rentals must be booked in advance at halifax.ca/myrec.
The following are some helpful tips for anyone spending time around the water this summer:
- Know your swimming limits. If you don’t know how to swim, or are a weak swimmer, sign up for our free lessons.
- Always swim with a buddy.
- Adults should never leave children unsupervised in the water. There should be one adult for every three children under the age of six, or one adult for every six children who are six or seven-years-old. Stay within arm’s reach at all times.
- Avoid relying on flotation devices such as rafts, water noodles, or water wings.
- Understand the “terrible too’s” – avoid swimming if you’re too tired, too cold, had too much sun, too much strenuous activity, or are too far from shore.
- Avoid diving in unfamiliar or shallow water, which can lead to serious spinal cord injuries.
Residents are reminded that the municipality is once again offering free swimming lessons and Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, and junior lifeguard programs at all municipal beaches.
For more information, including status updates, visit Halifax.ca/beaches.
