Ah summer, long sunny days and warm balmy nights. It may not feel like it right now, as we creep out of winter into spring, but before we know it, the mercury will start soaring and we’ll all be getting our homes and lifestyles ready for summer. 

Here in Quebec, while we make the most of our winters, embracing sports such as hockey, cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing and ice skating, during the summers there’s nothing we love more than flocking poolside. In fact, our province has the highest number of swimming pools per capita in North America, accounting for over 40% of Canadian pool installations. As real estate brokers in Montreal’s West Island, we’re well aware of the high proportion of backyard pools, but we also know how important local outdoor community pools are to neighbourhoods: where to find them, what they bring to the community, and how they positively impact real estate values. 

Community pools play a vital role in bringing communities together. They’re a sign of a thriving community and as we transition to life beyond the pandemic, it’s more important than ever for people to be able to meet up and have some fun in the sunshine. Here are just some of the benefits of outdoor community pools:

•Fitness and exercise – being able to swim is a vital life skill. Community pools offer a variety of swim programs, from parents and tots classes all the way up to learning to be a lifeguard. Given that swimming is a low-impact, full body workout, it’s also great for general health and fitness. 

•Meet new people – community pools aren’t just about cooling off on hot summer days, they also offer a wealth of opportunities to socialize and make new friends. Events such as barbecues, movie nights and parties are excellent for getting to know people in your neighbourhood. Let’s face it, there’s never been a more difficult time to meet people than the last 24 months. So join up and start growing proper roots in your neighbourhood. 

•Get your vitamin D – during the winter months, we’ve been cooped up for so long, many of us are unknowingly struggling with sub-optimal levels of vitamin D. The summer’s the time to supplement these flagging levels, and what better way to do this than by soaking up the sunshine, lounging by the pool? One word of caution though. Don’t forget the sunscreen! 

•Great for family time – there are few activities close to home that the whole family can attend and enjoy together. But community pools are definitely one of them. Your children will finally put down their screens and have some fun, and you can relax knowing they’re in a safe, secure environment.

•Job opportunities – community pools also provide great employment for local teens and they can obtain transferable skills such as learning to be a lifeguard. It’s also a great opportunity to gain key skills including time management, the importance of teamwork and how to work with the public. 

In this blog post, we’ll review the best outdoor community pools in the West Island suburb of Beaconsfield. This gem of a city is nestled on the shores of Lake Saint-Louis and is one of the most popular areas for real estate in the West Island. It’s also home to these four beautiful outdoor community pools:

Beaconsfield Heights
275 Allancroft, Beaconsfield, QC, H9W 2R7

Heights Pool has been an integral part of the community since 1963, so it’s as much a part of the landscape as the waterfront itself. The pool offers a wealth of aquatic programs, including:
•Swimming lessons for kids and teens, using a modified version of the Olympic Way program
•Lifesaving courses, including Red Cross Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross certification
•Competitive team swimming, as part of The Association of Lakeshore Pools (ALPs)
•Synchronized swim team and water polo teams
•Adult swim classes
•Workout classes

As well as an extensive selection of swim classes and events, Heights Pool also has an extensive social program. The canteen provides an excellent array of refreshments and accepts credit cards. Free WiFi is also available for members. 

Membership fees are set annually and can be found on the website. Returning fees start at $300 for young family membership, $100 for individual membership and $50 for seniors. Registration typically opens in May, and early bird discounts are offered. The pool opens in June, and the swim season typically ends in October. One final point? We’re not biased, but we are gold sponsors of this amazing community pool!

Beaurepaire Swim Club (Piscine Beau Pool)
545 Beaurepaire Drive, Beaconsfield, QC, H9W 6G7

Located near highway 20, Beau Pool definitely has something for everyone. Its extensive swim program includes the following:
•Fully certified Olympic Way swimming lessons for children of all ages
•Competitive swim team, as part of ALPs 
•Adult swim classes
•Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross lifesaving courses
•Junior Lifesaving
•Synchronized swim program
•Water polo
•Diving team
•Lap swimming

Beau Pool also has a fantastic array of social activities, including family barbecues and parties for the adults, so it’s a great place to meet new and old friends. 

Membership fees will be announced in April, and registration will take place from May 1st. As a guide, family membership pre-Covid was set at $450 annually; for an adult couple the fee was $320; individual membership for an adult was set at $160 and for 13-19 year olds the rate was $140. Seniors who are Beaconsfield residents are allowed free access. Members can also sign in guests at a rate of $3/day on weekdays and $5/day at weekends. The pool is set to open on the weekend of 8th/9th June.

Beacon Hill Community Pool
110 Harwood Gate, Beaconsfield, QC, H9W 3A3

Beacon Hill Community Pool is truly at the heart of the community, and has been a firm summer fixture for the Beacon Hill population since 1967. It’s run by an all-voluntary Board of Directors and was actually built by residents, for residents, demonstrating its long-standing importance in the local landscape. It provides a comprehensive swim schedule, including:
•Eight levels of swimming lessons, according to the Olympic Way method
•Adult swimming lessons
•Masters swim program
•Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross lifesaving courses
•Swim Team, competing against other ALPs pools
•Synchro 8+, including girls and boys teams
•Diving 6+
•Water polo for 10 and under, and 11+

Once again, this community pool offers a range of social events during the summer months, including kids movie nights and parties for the adults.

Registration opens in June and pool membership fees are set annually. The rates are currently set at $395 for a family household; $275 for adult membership; $225 for teens (13-17 years of age) and $250 for seniors (all per household). Membership entitles holders to all swimming programs, other than the Bronze Medallion and Bronze Cross. 

At the time of writing this blog post, the pool was hiring for 2022, so if you have a teen who’s interested, check whether recruitment is completed. This would be an excellent summer job!

Windermere Aquatic Club
323 Windermere Road, Beaconsfield, QC, H9W 1W1

Windermere Aquatic Club is a fantastic summer venue for the whole family. The club is run by parent-volunteers as a not-for-profit and is focused on benefiting the local community. 

As well as free swim sessions, the club also offers an excellent swimming schedule, including:
•Olympic Way swimming lessons 
•Separate baby pool area
•Swim Team for 8 years and under, 9-10 and 11+
•Aquafit exercise classes
•Synchronized swimming classes
•Water polo for ages 10 and under, and 11+
•Adult swim program

Although focused on activities for children, the social calendar does include events such as Friday Family Movie Nights and an annual party for the grown-ups.

Registration takes place in May, so keep an eye out for the latest membership fees. Once again, at the time of writing, the club was hiring for the 2022 season. So if you have a teen who’s looking for a summer job, check out the club link above!

We hope you’ve enjoyed this post. Whether you’re a potential buyer who’s interested in buying a property in Beaconsfield, or already live in the area and are looking for a fun outdoor swim club, as you can see, there’s definitely a community pool for everyone. If you’re looking to move to the West Island then get in touch today. Our expert real estate brokers have the local knowledge to select the best area for you, and we can guide you to the best property for your needs – whether you’re getting your first step on the property ladder or a family looking to upsize to the home of your dreams. For more information on how we can expertly guide you through the buying or selling process, call 514-612-8041 or email us at info@broadywindsor.com.