Weekly sensory-friendly swim session coming to Port Coquitlam, city says

The Port Coquitlam Community Centre is going to be a little quieter this fall — for a reason. 

On Wednesday, the city announced that the leisure pool will be hosting weekly sensory-friendly swims beginning Sep. 10. 

The sessions, which are open to everyone, are geared towards folks with sensory processing needs who want to enjoy a leisure swim at the pool — a place notoriously known for yelling, splashing and other loud noises. 

“This initiative represents a meaningful step in our ongoing commitment to ensuring that every member of our community feels valued, included, and supported in our public spaces,” wrote Mayor Brad West in a statement. 

During the sensory-friendly swims — held from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesdays — there will be no background music or speaker announcements at the leisure pool. The water features will be turned off and whistles will only be used for emergencies, according to the city. 

A designated sensory-friendly break room will also be available for residents looking to borrow noise-cancelling headphones, ear plugs or fidget toys, among other resources. And residents will be encouraged to use paper towels instead of a hand dryer during sensory swim hours. 

Although the sessions may interest some residents more than others, the city is encouraging anyone who wants a quiet space to visit the pool. 

“The swims are open to everyone while providing an inclusive space for those with sensory processing needs, as well as, anyone who might find a less stimulating environment helpful,” the city wrote in a release. 

Aynsley Pescitelli, a Port Coquitlam resident, wrote in an email to the Dispatch that the sensory swim sessions will allow members of the community to see the importance of this kind of initiative.

“I think it also encourages other residents to see that some folks may need this type of option, when they may not have recognized before that the need existed or that some may need a lower stress environment to be able to enjoy use of the pool,” Pescitelli wrote.

The move comes amid a rise in the popularity of sensory swims. 

Multiple public pools have added sensory-friendly sessions in the Lower Mainland in recent months. Within the past year, the University of British Columbia, Richmond and Surrey all added or increased sensory swim times at their respective pools. 

(Coquitlam also currently holds sensory swim sessions at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex.) 

Surrey, specifically, introduced monthly sensory swims at two public pools last December following a resident’s presentation. The resident, Mark Smeets, a podcast host with ADHD, highlighted the need to train recreation staff about the importance of accessible programming.  

And the benefits that everyone — not only folks with sensory needs — may enjoy by reducing noise and crowd size at certain times in the pool. After a successful pilot launch, Surrey expanded the initiative to two additional pools in the spring.  

Swimming has long been proven to have a positive impact for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 

A 2019 study found 74 per cent of children with ASD who participated in an adapted swim program improved at least one swim level. As they developed swimming skills, parents also reported an increase in their child’s confidence, strength and endurance outside of the pool. 

“In addition to being a potentially life-saving skill, swimming enhances mental, social, and physical abilities,” according to the study. 

The sensory-friendly swim announcement in Port Coquitlam was praised by residents on social media earlier this week, with some suggesting that the city already look into adding sensory swims after-school hours or on the weekend. 

“I’d love to see a time on the weekend or late afternoon/evening during the week that may be able to work for that group as well so that children with sensory sensitivities can benefit from the program as well,” wrote Pescitelli.

For now, the sessions will be held weekly for the foreseeable future. 

If you want more information on Port Coquitlam’ aquatics schedule, click here.