The city council is considering options to make recreation facilities more accessible as part of its 2017-18 Annual Draft Plan.
The options include free swimming pool entry for children, free lessons for children, and $2-days for families once a month.
The free entry option would cost $800,000, adding about $5 a year in rates for average households. The $2-days would add 45 cents to rates, while free lessons would add 30 cents.
Council head of recreation and sport, John Filsell, said a lot of people would benefit from the free swimming lessons if they were to go ahead.
Swim Canterbury's Huia Mikara said the idea was positive.
Swim Canterbury's purpose was to save lives and the city council's strategy supported that.
The city council has invited the public to express views on the proposal.