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At the Peoria Park District we love to make a SPLASH!!  We have three facilitates where you can take a dip, learn to swim, or earn some summer cash by working as a lifeguard!

The indoor AquaPlex at the RiverPlex provides swimmers with a lap pool, open swim hours, and swimming classes as well as fun exercise classes like Aqua Zumba, Senior Fit, and a variety of health classes through OSF.

If you are looking for a dedicated outdoor swimming facility, head over to Proctor Recreation Center, which offers a colorful splash pad and a recreational pool. 

The Gwynn Family Aquatic Center offers a range of amenities. It features a large pool, water slide, diving board, splash areas, and more, making it a popular destination for families and individuals seeking aquatic fun and relaxation.

Thinking about becoming a lifeguard?  Get ahead of the game by taking a lifeguard training class offered year-round by the Peoria Park District! It’s never too early to get certified! You MUST attend all three classes in a session and pass the Lifeguard test to become certified. These classes are offered year-round.

***All classes have an e-learning module that must be completed prior to the first day of class.

Questions? Contact Aquatics Manager at aquatics@peoriaparks.org or 309-282-1531

Click here to apply to be a PPD Lifeguard

Upcoming classes:

December 1-3: Central Park Pool, Friday: 4:30-8pm, Saturday and Sunday: 8am-4pm

Class Fee and Certificate Processing:

If you are registering and applying for the Peoria Park District the fee is waived! Otherwise it’s $250/person.

Certificates go out at processing which occurs the week after the class is over, class ends on Sunday and processing in the office is usually Monday or Tuesday. Once processed, emails are sent immediately.

All course materials are included in registration on peoriaparks.org when you register for the lifeguarding class.

Dive into a world of confidence and skill with Peoria Park District’s Adult Swimming Lessons. Our expert instructors provide a supportive environment for adults of all levels to learn and refine their swimming abilities. Join us for a refreshing journey of aquatic self-assurance today! Classes are offered year-round at the RiverPlex and during the summer season at Gwynn Family Aquatics Center.

Current Adult Swimming Lessons

Adult Learn to Swim • Beginner

This class is for adults who are not afraid of the water but need to learn the basics of swimming.

Adult Learn to Swim • Intermediate

We will work at improving your front and back crawl strokes, endurance levels, and add other strokes as desired. You should be able to swim 100 yards on your front and back.

Adult Learn to Swim • Terrified of Water

This adult learn to swim lesson is taught in the class section of the lap pool in a small group setting. The instructor will help you deal with any fears that you may have about the water environment, while teaching you basic swimming skills, such as front and back floats and freestyle stroke.

Private Swim Lessons • Ages 2-99

Private 1-on-1 lessons with a swim instructor. Lessons are all 30 minutes and rescheduling is not permitted.

Learning to swim is such an important life skill – and the Peoria Park District has you covered.  Sign up today for lessons for your infant, your toddler, or stroke practice for your tween. We have something for every age group and ability level! Our comprehensive program offers children a safe and enjoyable environment to build confidence in the water. Classes are offered year-round.

Current Youth Swimming Lessons

Parent / Tot Swim 1 • Ages 6 months to 36 months

Introduce your child to water and swimming within a program whose only goal is to ensure a positive experience! Experiences include: movement, floating, basic self-rescue building blocks, and FUN! *PARENT IN WATER REQUIRED

Parent/Tot Swim 2 • Ages 12 months to 36 months       

Introduce your child to water and swimming within a program whose only goal is to ensure a positive experience! Experiences include: movement, floating, basic self-rescue building blocks, and FUN! *PARENT IN WATER REQUIRED

Preschool Swim Lessons • Ages 3-5         

In pre-school swim lessons, the focus is on safety and learning about the water. Skills introduced and built on include: water comfort, floating, independent swimming/kicking, and self-rescue.

Youth Swim Lessons • Ages 6-12             

In youth swim lessons, the focus is on building safety skills and teaching stroke technique. Skills include freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly technique where appropriate.

Free Safety Around Water Program • Ages 7-10  

This program is a 1-day class that introduces water safety, safe swimming skills, and self-rescue.

Teen Swim Lessons • Ages 13-17              

In teen swim lessons, the focus is on building safety skills and teaching stroke technique. Skills include freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly technique where appropriate. This program is developed as a part of our safety around water program that serves the community in teaching everyone to swim.

Private Swim Lessons • Ages 2-99

Private 1-on-1 lessons with a swim instructor. Lessons are all 30 minutes and rescheduling is not permitted.

The RiverPlex Aquaplex offers a wide range of water-based activities. With its lap pool, water slide, family-friendly splash area, lazy river, warm water therapy pool, activity well, and whirlpool, it provides a perfect environment for swimming, water aerobics, and family fun. For a full list of Aquaplex offereings, click the button below.

Aquaplex

The RiverPlex is a membership facility that includes a recreation and wellness center for a holistic approach to health. If you are interested in learning more about the RiverPlex, click the button below.

RiverPlex Membership

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