Cherry Blossoms Bloom

Summer is just around the corner, and Poolside Swimming wants to help

Poolside Swimming has been a part of this community since 1993, offering personalized swimming lessons right in your backyard. With swimmers ranging from 6 months to 83 years old, there truly is something for every age and every skill level.

No pool at home? No worries. Lessons can happen in your backyard or at our private pool, and every session is tailored to the swimmer in front of us. As a Lifesaving Society affiliate, we offer certified programs ranging from Parent & Tot all the way through to Adult Swimmer. Fully insured and with over 30 years helping thousands of families feel safe and confident in the water, we are a name this community knows and trusts.

Whether you have questions or are ready to get started, the team at Poolside Swimming would love to hear from you. Give us a call or shoot us a message! 👇

📞 (905) 582-7702
✉️ [email protected]

Cherry blossom season has arrived in Burlington, with trees now in full bloom at two popular spots.

At Royal Botanical Gardens, the blossoms are at their peak, drawing steady crowds over the weekend. The gardens have expanded their display in recent years, adding 34 new cherry trees since 2020 across the Arboretum and Rock Garden.

Another go-to location is Spencer Smith Park along the waterfront, where visitors are already enjoying the pink and white canopy. With the bloom lasting only a short time, visitors are urged to avoid touching or damaging the trees so they return just as strong next spring. A quick evening stroll might be the perfect way to catch them before they’re gone.

Writers across Burlington can start drafting as the Burlington Public Library launches its annual Write Here Write Now contest on May 1.

Open to anyone aged 9 and up who lives, works, or studies locally, this year’s theme, Beyond the Open Door, invites creative takes on adventure, mystery, or transformation, as long as the idea is clearly woven into the story.

Submissions are open until 5pm on May 31, with winners chosen in children, teen, and adult categories, each taking home $100. With seven branches serving as creative hubs across the city, BPL continues to champion local storytelling. Might be the perfect time to finally put pen to paper?

The King’s Baton Relay will make its only Halton stop in Burlington on May 6, with a ceremony set for 11am-noon at the gazebo in Spencer Smith Park.

Part of a 500-day journey ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, the relay began at Buckingham Palace when King Charles III placed a message into the first baton.

The local stop ties closely to Burlington’s history, as Games founder Melville Marks Robinson lends his name to M.M. Robinson High School. The event will feature student participation, a performance by the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Pipe and Drums, and a focus on environmental action.

🇨🇦 Government Hiring 1,000+ Youth Summer Jobs

🌉 Burlington Skyway Overnight Closures This Weekend

⚠️ Portion of Guelph Line Closed Until Friday

The Compassion Society of Halton is calling on local residents to step up as it launches two new board-level committees focused on fundraising and community outreach.

With demand for services growing, the organization is expanding efforts to build stronger funding and raise awareness across Burlington and Halton.

Volunteers will help shape campaigns, build partnerships, and connect more people to available support. Those with relevant skills and a willingness to commit for a year are encouraged to apply by May 22.

The Burlington Centre Lions Club is launching Ignite, a new youth music competition for performers aged 13-19 who live or study in Burlington.

Applications are free and open until May 1, with finalists set to perform May 22 at the Lions Hall on Pearl Street in a full concert-style showcase judged by industry experts, including reps from Humber College Music Program.

Finalists will receive studio time at B-Town Sound, while the winner earns recording sessions, a festival performance slot, and access to a Humber scholarship supported by the club. It is a strong push to give young local talent a real stage and real momentum, just in time for summer crowds.

Wednesday, April 29
⛅ Partly cloudy
High: 14°C | Low: 6°C

Thursday, April 30
🌧️ Light rain
High: 12°C | Low: 5°C

Friday, May 1
🌦️ Showers
High: 13°C | Low: 7°C