Cathedral City Pool Opens June 9 with Enhanced Programming and Scholarships Available
With the days getting warmer and summer just around the corner, now is the perfect time to sign up for swim lessons and brush up on water safety tips to keep kids and adults safe whenever in or near water.
The reminder comes as pools, lakes and beaches are expected to be busy with residents stepping out and jumping into summer during the Memorial Day holiday. This includes the upcoming opening of the Cathedral City High School pool on Monday, June 9, 2025, which will provide local families with accessible aquatic programs and recreational swimming throughout the summer.
Cathedral City Pool Season Opens with Continued Partnership
Get ready to make a splash this summer! The Cathedral City High School pool is set to open for the 2025 season, offering residents a refreshing escape from the desert heat. Thanks to the continued partnership between the City of Cathedral City, Palm Springs Unified School District, and Desert Recreation District, local families will once again have access to quality aquatic programs and recreational swimming.
This year’s pool operations mark an exciting milestone as Cathedral City officially joins the Desert Recreation District on July 1, 2025, through the voter-approved Measure W initiative. This partnership will enhance recreation services throughout the city while maintaining the beloved summer pool program.
Additionally, the City Council has allocated funding to provide scholarships for local youth wishing to participate in swim lessons – making water safety education more accessible to all families in the community.
Cathedral City Pool Details
Location: 69250 Dinah Shore Drive, Cathedral City
Opening Date: Monday, June 9, 2025
Operating Days: Monday through Saturday (Closed Sundays)
Daily Schedule:
- Monday – Thursday:
- 9:00 – 9:45 a.m.: Water Fitness, Lap Swim, Water Aerobics, Senior Splash
- 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.: Youth Lessons and Lap Swim
- 1:45 – 3:45 p.m.: Water Fitness and Open Swim
- Friday:
- 8:00 – 11:45 a.m.: Lap Swim and Open Swim
- 1:45 – 3:45 p.m.: Open Swim
- Saturday:
- 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Lap Swim and Open Swim
Entry Fees:
- Children: $3 (Under 3 years free)
- Adults: $4
Comprehensive Programming Available:
- Community Swimming Lessons for all skill levels
- Recreational Swimming for families and individuals
- Lap Swimming for fitness enthusiasts
- Team Swimming for competitive athletes
- Water Aerobics for low-impact fitness
- Water Polo Programs for team sport enthusiasts
- Special Events including popular dive-in movie nights
Critical Water Safety Message
Pools, natural water sources and even tubs and water-filled buckets pose a serious danger for drowning if children or adults are not properly monitored.
“We always need to be aware of each other around water, especially our kids. Drownings can happen in an instant so we must ensure our children and grandchildren take survival swim lessons and learn the rules around the pool,” said Riverside County Third District Supervisor and First 5 Commission Chair Chuck Washington. “We encourage families to enroll their children in survival swim lessons, which teach them how to self-rescue in case of accidental immersion in the water.”
Children require constant supervision when in or near a body of water. In the event that children accidentally fall into a body of water, having completed swimming lessons helps increase their water safety.
First 5 Riverside County (F5RC) provides swimming lessons for children aged 6 months to 5 years for eligible families through partnering agencies across the county. These include one-on-one survival and group swimming lessons.
Essential Water Safety Tips
Additional preventive actions include:
- Assign a water watcher whenever people are close to water and never allow someone to swim alone
- Avoid consuming alcohol and medications that can influence judgment, balance and the ability to swim
- Get trained in CPR, basic first aid and rescue methods
- Enroll children in swim lessons with a certified instructor
- Wear life jackets when on or near natural water sources
Riverside County Department of Environmental Health (DEH) advises adding barriers around pools. “The fencing should be secure, non-climbable, and should not have any gaps or openings greater than 4 inches. All gates leading into a pool enclosure must be self-closing and self-latching to prevent unsupervised access by a child,” said Jenay Marcotte, Program Chief, DEH.
Because drowning doesn’t take a holiday, residents are urged to also be mindful of these layers of protection at home and when vacationing at a hotel or at a vacation rental.
Alarming Local Statistics
Recent findings by Riverside University Health System — Public Health indicate that drownings were the leading cause of death in children 1-4 years of age in Riverside County between 2018 and 2022. During the same period, there were 866 water-related accidents in Riverside County and children aged 0-4 made up 64% of those incidents.
“Drowning is 100 percent preventable. That is the good news. We must always be aware of our surroundings, and watchful of others when near a water source. The consequences of failing this vital function as a friend, family member or parent are devastating,” said Kim Saruwatari, Director, Riverside University Health System – Public Health.
How to Get Involved
For Cathedral City Pool Information:
- Visit the Desert Recreation District website at https://www.myrecreationdistrict.com/
- Contact their administrative office at (760) 347-3484
- Ask for the Aquatics Department when calling about swimming lessons, special programs, or general pool information
For additional water safety tips and resources: Visit rivcowatersafety.org
The Cathedral City High School pool continues to be a vital community resource, providing affordable aquatic recreation and education in the heart of the Coachella Valley. Whether you’re looking to learn to swim, stay fit, or simply cool off during the hot summer months, the pool offers something for everyone in the family.
Don’t miss out on another fantastic summer at the Cathedral City High School pool – mark your calendars for the June 9th opening and get ready to dive into fun while staying safe!
About the Riverside County Water Safety Coalition
The Riverside County Water Safety Coalition is a collaborative made up of Riverside University Health System – Medical Center, Riverside County Department of Public Social Services, Riverside County Department of Environmental Health, CAL FIRE / Riverside County Fire Department, First 5 Riverside and Riverside University Health System – Public Health to promote water safety and drowning prevention.
