Why Water Safety Matters

Fort Saskatchewan, nestled along the picturesque North Saskatchewan River, is a popular recreational and commercial boating hub. The city's proximity to numerous lakes and water bodies attracts many visitors during the warm summer months. However, water-related activities carry inherent risks. According to the Lifesaving Society, from 1999 to 2019, Alberta experienced an average of 30 fatal drownings each year, with an additional 180 non-fatal drownings requiring emergency attention annually. The impact of these tragedies on families and communities is profound and far-reaching.

Introducing the Lifejacket Loaner Station

Harbour Pool has partnered with the Lifesaving Society to bring in the Lifejacket Loaner Station program running from May 16 to September 4, 2025. This seasonal initiative makes it easy for visitors to borrow a lifejacket at no cost, promoting safer water activities for all ages.

The station is conveniently located in front of Harbour Pool and offers lifejackets in a variety of sizes, from small children to adults. Each lifejacket is cleaned and inspected after use to ensure it’s ready for the next user.

Key Features:

• Harbour Pools' loaner station will be open during reception hours.
• Lifejacket use is free, scan the QR code on site to sign-out and sign-in.
• The station will provide educational materials to help users select the appropriate size and wear lifejackets correctly. 

Important: The owner/operator of this Lifejacket Loaner Station Program disclaims all responsibility for any injuries or damage that might occur to your person from any use of supplied equipment. The use of the supplied equipment does not replace or eliminate the need for active adult supervision and responsible behavior for the user in and around the water.

Impact on the Community

This program is focused on protecting children, who are at a higher risk of drowning, but individuals of all ages are encouraged to borrow a lifejacket. By providing free, easy access to lifejackets, the City of Fort Saskatchewan and the Lifesaving Society aim to promote safer boating practices and raise awareness about drowning prevention.

Residents and visitors are welcome to borrow lifejackets at no cost and are encouraged to follow additional safe boating practices, such as completing a safe boating course and avoiding alcohol consumption while in, on, or around the water, especially when operating a boat.

Watch Our Video

Learn more about the Lifejacket Loaner Station and other water safety initiatives by watching our informative video below. 

Visit our YouTube channel for more Water Safety videos

Get Involved and Stay Safe

For more information on Lifejacket Loaner Stations in our province, please visit the Lifesaving Society’s website.

Follow @FSHarbourPool on Facebook for Water Safety Messages and fun activities for the family.

Check out our Drowning Prevention Week page for more information on water safety.