Welcome to the brand new Aquatic Centre at MacDonald Island!  Featuring 4.3 million litres of water, our world-class Aquatic Centre is home to an Olympic-sized swimming pool, training pool, two giant waterslides and a spray park!  Find out more about our features here!

Want to be one of the first lucky swimmers to dive in? Find a mini-beach ball and drop it into the draw box in the main concourse of the Suncor Community Leisure Centre. 

How can you get a beach ball?

• Spot MAC the Fox at events throughout the community.  Once you spot the fox, come for a visit and ask for your ball!
• Drop into the Suncor Community Leisure Centre and stop by Guest Services to ask for your beach ball!
  
• Listen to Country 93.3, Rock 97.9 or Kaos 91.1 for your chance to win!
  
  

The draw for winners will take place on September 13 and will be initiated by Jennifer Button, Olympic swimmer and recent inductee into the Wood Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame!  Each winner will bring four family members or friends to the MacDonald Island Park Beach Bash on September 22. 

Please call Guest Services at 780.791.0070 if you have any questions!

View our Program Guide for information on swimming lessons.

Become a part of Mi Team!  MacDonald Island Park is now recruiting certified lifeguards and instructors.  Check out the training opportunities below.  If you're already certified, take a look at our career opportunities here.

Lifesaving Bronze Star
In Bronze Star, participants develop problem-solving and decision-making skills as individuals and in partners. They learn CPR and develop Water Smart® confidence and the lifesaving skills needed to be their own personal lifeguard.

Lifesaving Society Bronze Medallion
Learn about the lifesaving principles of water rescue education: Judgment, knowledge, skill, and fitness. Rescuers learn tows and carries; defence and release methods in preparation for challenging rescues involving conscious and unconscious victims of various types. Lifesavers develop stroke efficiency and endurance for a timed swim (500 m). Completing Bronze Medallion also certifies the swimmer with a CPR-A certificate. Bronze Medallion is the prerequisite for Lifesaving Bronze Cross.

Lifesaving Society Bronze Cross
Want more of a challenge?  Test yourself with more complex rescues both in the water and out with the Lifesaving Society Bronze Cross.  Completing Bronze Cross includes an introduction to safe supervision in aquatic facilities and also certifies the swimmer with a CPR-C certificate. Bronze Cross is a prerequisite for registering in other certifications, such as National Lifeguard (NLS) and Lifesaving Instructor (LSI).

Lifesaving Society National Lifeguard
National Lifeguard (NLS) certification is recognized as the standard for lifeguards in Canada. NLS training develops basic lifeguarding skills, principles and decision making to help lifeguards create a safe and enjoyable experience. This course teaches lifeguards to prevent emergencies and, if necessary, respond effectively.
Prerequisite - 16 years of age, Bronze Cross and current Standard First Aid (AEC recommended).

National Lifeguard NLS Recertification Exam
National Lifeguard (NLS) certification is current for a period of two years from the date of the exam. This recertification exam retests all skill items as well as provides any updated information. Successful completion of this exam will extend the certification for another two years.

Instructor Training

Red Cross Assistant Water Safety Instructor

In this prerequisite for the Red Cross Water Safety Instructor course, candidates learn instructional skills including teaching methods, learning styles, physical principles, progressions, communication, safety supervision and feedback. Course is 30 hours with 8 hours of practice teaching (some included in course time included in course time.)
Prerequisite: Must be 15 years of age or older.

Red Cross Water Safety Instructor
Instructor candidates focus on how to apply information from the Assistant Water Safety Instructor course and develop additional instructional skills, stroke development, drills and corrective strategies to plan, teach and evaluate the entire Red Cross Swim continuum. Course is 25 hours with 12 hours of practice teaching (may include some or all of your teaching hours.)
Prerequisite: AWSI + 16 years of age

Canadian Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Recertification
This Red Cross Instructor Recertification Workshop will review the instructor course content, offer new and creative teaching strategies. Reinforce the importance of injury prevention, inclusion strategies, progressive learning and safety supervision.

First Aid Training

Red Cross Standard First Aid, CPR-C, AED

Comprehensive First Aid and CPR techniques for those who need training for work requirements or who want more knowledge to respond to emergencies in the workplace.  This course is designed to provide various levels of CPR training based on the participant’s background, needs and interest. A presentation on how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) as well as AED certification is also provided with the course where legislation permits.

Standard First Aid and CPR Recertification
This course offers comprehensive first aid and CPR techniques for those that need training for work requirements or who want more knowledge to respond to emergencies n the work place Includes the latest First Aid and CPR guide lines. Meets federal and a variety of provincial/territorial regulations for Standard First Aid and CPR. Exceeds competitors’ standards by including injury prevention content, CPR and AED.