Council on Monday unanimously endorsed a motion from Mayor Brenda Locke directing staff to advance a new initiative that would make the first three levels of City swim lessons free for Surrey children ages three to 12.

The initiative builds on Surrey’s ongoing investments in pools, recreation services, water safety, and family-focused affordability measures. It is intended to remove entry-level cost barriers and help more children gain the confidence and skills they need to be safe in and around the water.

“Learning to swim is not a luxury. It is a life skill,” said Mayor Brenda Locke. “As one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada, Surrey has a responsibility to ensure families have access to recreation programs that support safety and healthy childhood development. Making introductory swim lessons free is a practical step that supports affordability while strengthening public safety across our city.”

The motion directs staff to report back on implementation details, including program uptake, registration processes, instructor capacity, waitlist impacts, and budget considerations, with the goal of launching the program on July 1.

The City currently operates five indoor pools and eight outdoor pools and is building the new $310-million Newton Community Centre, which will include a 50-metre competition pool and a leisure pool. Surrey also continues to recruit and train qualified swim instructors to support current and future program demand.