Further considerations for lifeguard funding

Posted on January 8, 2026 by Vauxhall Advance

By Nikki Jamieson
Vauxhall Advance
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Vauxhall town council is exploring options for funding training for local lifeguards.

During their regular Dec. 15, 2025, meeting, Vauxhall town council reviewed some information about available lifeguard training courses in the region.

At a previous November 2025 meeting, Vauxhall council had discussed a concern about the availability of local lifeguards for the town pool, training course opportunities in the area, and whether the town should provide a funding opportunity to get local youth trained so they become lifeguards for the town. They had directed administration to come back with some more information.

According to administration, the Town of Taber’s pool had offered bronze cross and bronze medallion courses in 2025, but they weren’t sure if it was being offered in 2026. However, in Lethbridge, the Stan Siwik Pool, University of Lethbridge, and YMCA of Lethbridge all offer those courses, and Brooks offer Red Cross lifeguard and swim instructor training through the Lifesavings Society. Bow Island doesn’t current offer lifeguard training courses, but they do offer first aid and CPR training for those who are with them for three or more years. Town CAO Cris Burns said he believed the course took three straight days to a week to complete. Costs for the bronze medallion course range from $162-225, while bronze cross range from $165-225.

While Vauxhall does offer swimming lessons up to level 10, they do not currently offer lifeguard training courses.

Coun. Shelley Deleeuw, who had expressed concerns previously on where to get training, said it was “definitely more reasonable than what I thought”.

“I’m willing to help you people if they’re going to get it, if it’s going to encourage lifeguards to stay here,” said Deleeuw.

Coun. Jimmy Wolf asked how many lifeguards do the town need. Assistant CAO and town office manager said they need at least nine.

“We usually want three or four on, because there’s always one watching the till, and (someone) per number of swimmers,” said Dunphy. “And of course they switch out so they can get days off.”

Another issue is the age of the lifeguards, and there always needs to be one senior lifeguard per shift. Dunphy noted that they did hire a cashier for the pool in 2025, which helped with the staffing issue, but two lifeguards had quit over the summer. When asked how many local lifeguards they had, Dunphy said they had one in the past year.

When Mayor Kim Cawley asked if they should leave the matter or implement some sort of program or assistance, Deleeuw voiced her support for it.

“I feel that it’s reasonable enough that if that’s a problem and is deterring someone from taking it and that’s going to help them take it, then I’m absolutely for supporting those people,” said Deleeuw. “If you get someone at 16 or 18, you can potentially keep them (as a lifeguard) for two to five years.”

Council directed administration to come back with options for a potential lifeguard program.