Swim Center

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The Pool is currently open - Update 12/4/20

Contra Costa County has implemented the state's new regional stay at home order on sunday, 12/6/20. this will not affect operations at the Swim Center. We will remain open with all COVID protocols in place.  

*The Recreation office is closed and limited to responding customer inquiries. Please be patient as we respond to customer inquiries. The quickest way to receive a response is to email recreation@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us

RESERVATIONS DATES:

Reservation Period
Resident Registration
Non-Resident Registration
February 1st - 14th
Tuesday January 26th at 4pm
Wednesday January 27th at 4pm
February 16th - 28th*
Tuesday February 9th at 4pm
Wednesday February 10th at 4pm
March 1st-14th
Tuesday February 23rd at 4pm
Wednesday February 24th at 4pm

*The Swim Center will be closed January 18th, and February 15th

Please see the information below on where to reserve lanes and find instructions on reserving lanes:

  1. To swim, a lane must be reserved online. There are no drop-ins or in-person reservations. 
  2. The online lane reservation system can be complicated for new users! Please review our Online Registration Instruction page by clicking on the Aquatic tab before making reservations. It is highly encouraged that you log-in and play around with the system to get used to it before reservation day.
  3. You can reserve online here. Lane reservations can be made by customers 14 years or older.
  4. There is a very high demand for swim lanes, much more than can be accommodated. Lanes may fill within an hour or two of registration opening.
  5. If you cannot swim on a day that you have reserved, please cancel your reservation as soon as possible to allow others to take your place. Instructions on how to do this are on the Online Registration Instruction page by clicking on the Aquatic tab and scrolling all the way to the bottom.
  6. Please scroll down for program information.

Please note:

Information on the steps the Swim Center is taking to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus, plus information on our programs and how to reserve lanes, is available in the Policies Manual which you can read here (updated version as of 12/7/20).

Verification of Residency - Proof of household address may be requested at any time to verify residency. This may be in the form of a utility bill or rental lease.

Cancellation Policy - Lanes can now be cancelled online (no in-person or over phone cancellations) up to 7pm the day before your reservation! You can reserve lanes up until midnight the day of. A 50% processing fee will be applied, the remaining 50% will be applied as a credit to your household. The Online Instructions page has been updated with instructions on how to cancel a lane reservation.

The Swim Center is CLOSED on City Holidays:
Monday, January 18, 2021
Monday, February 15, 2021

  1. Fitness Swim
  2. Masters Swim Team
  3. Gators Swim Team
  4. Family Lanes

FITNESS SWIM - (CLICK FOR MORE INFO)

For participants 14 years or older, includes Lap Swim, Water Walking, and Independent Exercise.
Fitness Swim is not for Families or Swim Lessons, please reserve Family Lanes for those activities.

Continually check the online registration page for cancellations or newly released times! 

Fitness Swim Times:
Monday-Friday 6am-7:45am* & 8am-3:45pm & 7pm-8:45pm
Saturday 7am-7:45am & 10am-7:45pm
Sunday 7am- 7:45pm
Lanes are reserved on the hour for 45-minute time periods
**Lane 1 Ladder and Lane 1 Stairs ONLY during Masters practice.

Reservation Dates:

Reservation Period
Resident Registration
Non-Resident Registration
February 1st - 14th
Tuesday January 26th at 4pm
Wednesday January 27th at 4pm
February 16th - 28th*
Tuesday February 9th at 4pm
Wednesday February 10th at 4pm
March 1st - 14th
Tuesday February 23rd at 4pm
Wednesday February 24th at 4pm

*The Swim Center will be closed January 18th, and February 15th

Fees:
$10 Resident
$12 Non-Resident

COVID-19 FAQ - (CLICK FOR MORE INFO)

Questions related to the re-opening of the pool and new policies

POOL FAQ - (CLICK FOR MORE INFO)

Currently, the Swim Center is NOT able to offer the following programs: Swim Lessons, Water Aerobics, Splash Park, rECswim, Lifeguard Training, or Parties at the Pool.

Any changes that are made, including any updates to times or health orders, will be updated on this website.

Please keep in mind the City of El Cerrito Offices, including the Community and Swim Center offices, remain closed for the time being.

Emery G. Weed III Lap Pool

On August 18, 2015, in response to an application from El Cerrito Residents and Swim Center Patrons, the El Cerrito City Council voted to rename the Competition Pool the Emery G. Weed III Lap Pool.

Emery Weed was a much loved swim instructor, lifeguard, swim coach, and mentor to thousands of people during his 25 year tenure at the El Cerrito Swim Center. His life, passions, spirit, and philosophy of "Good Health, Love, Peace, Happiness and Prosperity" enriched the lives of so many in El Cerrito and beyond. "Keep coming back, it works!" is the advice Emery gave for a healthy life upon his retirement in 2013. The renaming of the El Cerrito Swim Center’s Competition Pool in Emery’s honor will help ensure that his legacy lives on for years to come and will continue to inspire future generations 

Emery G. Weed III — 1941–2014

Lifeguard Emery G Weed III