Regular Season Opening Date:  June 6

Regular Season Closing Date:  August 23

Monday-Thursday: 12:30pm-6:00pm

Friday: 12:30pm-7:00pm

Saturday: 12:00pm-7:00pm

Sunday: 12:00-5:00pm

5 shareable lap lanes will available during open swim sessions.

2026 Admission Rates

All memberships and the punch card may be purchased online or in person at the BWAC or Parks and Recreation Office.

Individual Membership (per person): $55.00 

Family Membership (up to 6 people residing in the same household): $160.00.

Digital Punch Card: $42.00/10 punches

Daily Fees: $6.00/adults; $5.00/youth (4 and under free)

Financial assistance is available for Winona County Residents. If you think you may qualify for assistance, please submit a Parks and Recreation Scholarship Application. 

Questions about lessons can be directed to Ali Mayer (507)457-8258.

Registration opens April 1, 2026, at 8 am

2026 Swim Lesson Session Dates:

Session 1: June 8-June 16
Session 2: June 22-June 30
Session 3: July 6-July 14
Session 4: July 20-July 28
Session 5: August 3-August 11

Parent/Child: 6 months to 2 years

Preschool Level One-Three: 3 to 5 years

Level One-Six: Minimum of 6 years

Fee: $60

Learning to swim provides children (& adults!) with joy, freedom and the confidence to be safe in, on and around aquatic environments of all kinds. At the Bob Welch Aquatic Center, we understand swimming is a life skill and participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning in children and young adults. Learning to swim from knowledgeable, enthusiastic and experienced instructors can make a huge impact on how participants learn.

Group lessons run for 40 minutes Monday-Thursday and Monday, Tuesday of the following week, Parent & Child lessons run 30 minutes in length. If makeups are needed due to weather, they will be held on Wednesday and Thursday following the last day of class.

Register for lessons in-person or online.

Click here to determine which skill level is best suited for you or your child. Register for lessons in-person or online. Register for lessons in-person or online. Register for lessons in-person or online.

Our private lessons are designed for individuals learning to swim that would prefer one on one instruction in any of our group learn to swim offerings, excluding diving courses. We strive for all lessons to become a fun and empowering experience in addition to increasing the participants’ safety. Lessons will meet for 30 minutes for six sessions. Private lessons follow the group learn to swim date pattern and are offered at a variety of times in the morning and evenings. Registration is available online. 

Fee: $105.00

Lap Swim Hours

Monday-Friday: 10:00am-8:00pm

Saturday/Sunday: 12:00pm-7:00pm

Group Reservations

We request that you notify our office as soon as you have a date in mind for a visit. This will ensure the facility is staffed appropriately.

 If this is your first time booking a group reservation, please complete the online Group Request form.  
Returning groups can view the calendar here in the catalog.  

You will receive an email confirmation within 5 business days of your request being sent. 

Group visits can be scheduled Monday-Friday from 12:30pm-6pm  

Payment            

There are three payment options to choose from. Please select the option that will work best for your organization.

• 100% billed. If you would like to be billed for your visit to the Aquatic Center, we are happy to bill you on a
  monthly basis. Our office will process all group visits to the Bob Welch Aquatic Center around the 1^st and 15^th of each month. Invoices will be generated and mailed within five business days.
• 100% paid. If you would like to pay at the time you check-in at the Bob Welch Aquatic Center, we accept cash, check or credit card. The front desk will provide you with a total for your admissions and a receipt. 
• Membership*. For some of our groups that come weekly, purchasing memberships is a cost saving avenue for them. If using the membership option, we will request the same information at check-in and will require a roster be submitted with the total number of staff and the names of youth participants that are present that day. Since it takes time to check-in several participants, we will allow the group to enter the facility while Aquatic Center staff complete the check-in process as time permits at the front desk. Once all participants have been checked-in, any discrepancies will be reported to group staff. Any student or additional staff member that does not have a membership, the group will be billed for. Groups are encouraged to purchase memberships for staff.

*Please note that each membership (student or staff) is $55. There are no group rates or discounts offered.

Confirmation     

Once we have received the date(s) your group wanting to visit the Aquatic Center. A confirmation email will be sent to ensure the right dates/times are selected for your group. Within this email will also be a copy of the Aquatic Centers’ rules for you to review with your group to ensure you have a safe and fun visit.
 

Check-In            

Upon arrival to the Bob Welch Aquatic Center, we ask that one representative from your organization check-in at the main desk. When doing so the rest of the group should remain on the bus or outside the doors. 

The Aquatic Center staff working the desk will ask the representative from your group the following information:

• Staff member’s name
• Name of person that scheduled the visit 
• Total number of adults & youth present
• Roster of youth in attendance for the day (only if using membership billing) ** See membership billing information 

Once the Aquatic Center staff has complete information, they will ask a manager to meet your group at the gate to the right of the main building. The manager will open the gate for your group to enter the facility. This will avoid lines and congestion in the main lobby. Once inside the gate, please pick a meeting spot for your group during the day and enjoy the facility. 

A manager will review the rules before anyone enters the water and will answer any questions with your staff and students. 

Group Rates

*To receive the group rate, your organization must have 20 or more paid daily admissions in a visit.
**To receive the tax-exempt rate, please confirm we have a current tax-exempt certificate on file with the Park and Recreation office when you schedule your group visit.
 ***Each membership is $55.00, there are no group rates or discounts offered.

Weather & Sanitation Situations

From time to time the Bob Welch Aquatic Center may experience an unexpected delay in opening, partial closure or complete closure. Below are the guidelines staff will use in the event of inclement weather or a sanitation emergency, and how it will impact your group. 

Weather

 The air temperature must be 65 degrees for the Aquatic Center to open. If the air temperature does not reach 65 degrees by the scheduled opening time, the Aquatic Center will delay opening. Additionally, if the air temperature drops below 65 degrees while open, the Aquatic Center may close temporarily and/ or close early for the day. 

Inclement weather includes thunder, lightning, and extreme downpours. Should any of these weather conditions arise, the Aquatic Center will either delay opening or temporarily close. When thunder and lightning are present, there is a minimum of a 30-minute closure. The 30-minute time frame resets for each sighting of lightning or audible sound of thunder. 

There are no refunds or complimentary passes for weather-related closings. 

Sanitation Emergencies

 Sanitation emergencies occur when there is fecal matter or stomach contents from vomit in the pool. In following the guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control, the following protocols are in place:

• Solid fecal matter: ~30* minutes closure from the time chemicals enter the water
• Loose fecal matter: Closure for the day
• Vomit with stomach contents: ~30* minutes closure from the time chemicals enter the water
• Vomit without stomach contents (water): No closure needed

*Closure time is based on chemical levels and will vary based on the situation

If your group has been at the Aquatic Center for less than one hours when a sanitation emergency occurs, complimentary passes will be issued for paid entries only. A group representative will need to check-in with management prior to leaving. 

Cancellation Information 

 Any time the Aquatic Center has an adjusted schedule the Winona Park & Recreation Facebook Page and Website will be updated as soon as possible. Often inclement weather and sanitation emergencies happen without notice, and the Aquatic Center staff’s focus is ensuring the safety of patrons that are in the facility.  We cannot guarantee advance notification if there is an unexpected closing. The best practice is to check https://www.facebook.com/winonaparkandrec/ OR https://www.cityofwinona.com/782/Bob-Welch-Aquatic-Center. If there is no message that means the Aquatic Center is open for regular hours. 

If your group is unable to come in for your scheduled time, please call 507-453-1646 and ask to speak with a manager. 

Below is a list of the posted rules at the Bob Welch Aquatic Center. The list is not all inclusive, but a guide to the behavior and expectations that are in place for those who choose to attend the Aquatic Center. 

1.  Children 7 and under must be accompanied by adult.
2. Children 4 and under must be within arm’s reach of an adult at all times.
3. We strongly recommend any person who has been potty trained for less than one year use plastic pants. (these are available for purchase at the Aquatic Center front desk)
4. Please shower before entering the pool.
5. Only US Coast Guard approved flotation devices may be used; any person using a US Coast Guard approved flotation device must be within arm’s reach of a responsible adult (16 & older).
6. Diving is only allowed off diving boards; no inverse, inward, back dives or gainers allowed.
7. Foul or abusive language or clothing, public displays of affection, and or inappropriate behavior are not allowed and are at the discretion of staff.
8. Pushing, dunking, splashing, rough play fighting, and any activity that endangers the safety and comfort of self or others are prohibited.
9. Secure personal belongings: the City of Winona is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
10. Prior to swimming in the deep end (including the use of diving board), guests must pass a swim test. A swim test may be requested more than once per visit or season.
11. Please enjoy food or beverages in designated areas, concessions, grassy areas and playground. Please keep food and beverages away from pool edge.
12. No glass, alcohol or tobacco/vapes allowed on property. Glass includes glass water bottles, containers and tempered glass goggles. 
13. Lap swimmers 16 years or older may continue to swim laps during safety breaks.

Additional rules will be enforced at the discretion of Aquatic Center staff.