Bemidji Offers Youth Swim Lessons at BSU Pool This Spring

The city of Bemidji is expanding youth programming this winter with a sequence of swim lessons set to begin Feb. 2 and continue through April 15 at the Bemidji State University pool in the Gillett Wellness Center, 1801 Birch Lane NE. The Parks and Recreation Department scheduled classes across multiple sessions to accommodate families, with options on Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays and levels grouped by age and ability.

The program will be offered as a $72 series. The announcement lists class times and dates and directs residents to register online. Registration opens at 9 a.m. on Monday Jan. 5 2026 at ci.bemidji.mn.us. Parents and caregivers planning for winter and spring activities should mark the date and review available session times early in the registration window.

Holding lessons at the university pool provides a community resource that can serve more participants than smaller municipal facilities. For local families, the schedule variety offers flexibility for those balancing school activities and part time work. The age and skill grouping is designed to place children in appropriate instruction levels, which supports faster learning and helps instructors maintain safety and quality of instruction.

Beyond lessons themselves, the program represents an investment in basic safety and recreation infrastructure. Swim instruction is a routine municipal service that helps households prepare children for summer and local lake access, while also contributing to youth health and physical education offerings during the school year. For working parents, predictable weekday session times make it easier to coordinate transportation or after school care.

Residents should visit the city website to view the full list of class times and dates and to complete registration starting Jan. 5. Families with questions about pool access or specific level placement can contact the Parks and Recreation Department through the city portal for details. Enrollment information and the $72 fee are provided in the registration materials online.