Swim Center

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Swim Center open with NO Reservations!

Locker room cleaning: 

Due to staffing shortages in the Recreation Department, we will be modifying the cleaning of the Locker Rooms. The Men's Locker Room will be cleaned when staff is available. You may see the male custodians in the Men's Locker Room on various days and times. Because there are currently no female custodians, we will be shutting the Women's Locker Room down on Tuesdays between 12pm and 3pm for one hour to clean. Unfortunately, exact times may vary slightly each week, but we will post on our website and at the swim window the Women’s Locker Room cleaning time for that week. Thank you for your patience.  

Women's Locker Room shut down for cleaning on Tuesday October 26th between 12pm-1pm.

ADA Chair lift is currently inoperable. We are working on fixing it and will update this website as soon as it is operating.

We're Hiring!

Interested in Lifeguarding or teaching Swim Lessons? We're hiring! El Cerrito Swim Center offers flexible hours at a great facility with fun staff. While the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Certification is required of the job, it is not required to interview! Training will be provided once applicant is offered a position. Must be 15 years of age or older to apply. Apply online now!


Air Quality: The Swim Center monitors the Air Quality through purpleair.com. The Swim Center will remain open until the Air Quality reaches 150 (Unhealthy) for an average of one hour.

*The Recreation Office is open:
Mon-Thu 9am-12pm by appointment only
Mon-Thu 1pm-4pm open
The fastest way to receive assistance is by emailing: recreation@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us 

  • Programs include Masters, Water Aerobics, Fitness Swim, Swim Lessons, Family Swim and Splash Park. Please see each page for information on times, pricing, and capacities.
  • Check-in will be at the Main Swim Window.
  • Locker rooms will be available for full use. Face masks are REQUIRED in the locker rooms for EVERYONE except children ages 2years old and younger or if you are showering.
  • The Swim Center will not require face coverings to be worn, however we HIGHLY encourage unvaccinated individuals to continue wear their face coverings and become vaccinated.
  • If you have any symptoms of COVID-19 (a fever of 100.4 degrees or more in the last 24 hours, a cough or shortness of breath in the last 24 hours, and/or been in contact with anyone that has tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 2 weeks) you must stay home.

Swim Center Schedule

Schedule through Sunday October 24, 2021

Fall 2021 through 10.24 Opens in new window

Schedule beginning Monday October 25, 2021

Fall 2021 beginning 10.25

Fitness Swim will take place Mondays and Wednesdays from 7pm-8:15pm in the 3 lanes of the Activity Pool. Schedule in BLACK is for Emery G. Weed III Lap Pool, schedule in RED is for Activity Pool. Activity Pool has a maximum depth of 3.5 feet and kept at a warmer temperature. Please be aware that High School Water Polo is practicing at this time, and stray water polo balls may enter the Activity Pool.

Swim Center Programs

Fitness Swim (click for more information) - For ages 14 years and older, get in shape in our heated pool! Swimming is a great workout that improves cardiovascular health, tones muscle and helps maintain a healthy weight.

Water Aerobics (click for more information) - The El Cerrito Swim Center is excited to offer Water Aerobics - a fun way to improve fitness while enjoying the pool. With new strategies and protocols in place to keep participants as safe as possible during the pandemic, classes will maintain focus on aerobic endurance, resistance training, and creating an enjoyable atmosphere amongst community. Independent Exercise is offered at times when an instructor is not available. Space is available for everyone to come and do their own work out. Because there is no instructor,  the Fitness Swim fee is charged during Independent Exercise times.

Family Swim (click for more information) - The Swim Center is open with no reservations, there are no COVID-19 capacity limits - Regular pool capacity limits still apply. Family Swim will be offered through Tot Splash, rECswim, and Evening rECswim. All swimming will take place in the Activity Pool only with no diving boards, slide, or Splash Park access.

Masters Swim Team (click for more information) - El Cerrito Aquatic Masters (ECAM) is for adults ages 19+ interested in swimming competitively or just getting in shape. Coached workouts focus on endurance, techniques and overall fitness. Competitive swimming is not required. Talk to the coach regarding minimum swimming ability. See current schedule for practice days and times. Swimmers participating in ECAMS must register with United States Masters Swimming (USMS).

Gators Swim Team (click for more information) - The Gator’s Swim Club is a USA Swimming team that has a history spanning over 40 years. Gator’s are dedicated to providing a fun and challenging program for young people 7-18 years old that will enable swimmers to improve their ability and excel in the sport. Questions? Please email Gators at gswim@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us..

Swim Lessons (click for more information) - For ages 6 months and older, learn-to-swim in a safe and fun environment! Our instructors are trained to teach lessons to achieve the best learning experience. We offer group lessons, along with Private Lessons for Youth and Adults. Semi-Privates available for participants with similar swimming ability.

Splash Park (click for more information) - For ages 6 and under (with Caregiver), enjoy family fun at the Splash Park! It is a great way to get wet and have fun playing in the water. An assortment of spray features will create hours of fun. This is a non-lifeguarded area with no pool access.

Please note:

High-Use Facility: This is a high-use facility with multiple programs happening at a time. During your reservation or program time, other programs may be occurring that have loud music or amplified sound and take up portions of the pool.

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.

Swim Lesson Cancellation Policy: Make-up classes are not available. Requested refunds or transfers will be approved only if initiated no later than 10 business days prior to the first day of class. All refunds/transfers will be charged a processing fee of $22 per class. Refunds will not be granted after the first class meeting except in the case of medical emergency and must be submitted within 48 hours. Cancellations, transfers, and schedule changes will not be granted for non-attendance. Refund requests must be made by email to: recreation@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us. We reserve the right to cancel any sessions due to low enrollment.

The Swim Center is CLOSED on City Holidays:

Fall Cover(3)

POOL FAQ - (CLICK FOR MORE INFO)

Currently, the Swim Center is NOT able to offer the following programs: Lifeguard Training, Parties at the Pool, or Pool Rentals.

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

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