Public Swimming and Waterfit

The Recreation and Culture department strives to make our programs and services accessible and inclusive to all members of our community including those with intellectual or physical disabilities; attention and behaviour difficulties; vision and hearing impairments; learning disabilities; allergies and medical conditions.

For more information, visit our Inclusion and Support Services page.

Admission for support persons

Persons requiring that a support person accompanies them in order to participate in Recreation and Culture drop-in programs can apply for an Express Pass. Express Passes are provided at no-charge, provide free entry for the support person and streamlines the program check-in experience.

For more information, please speak to a Customer Service Representative at your local recreation and culture facility.

Medical conditions

Individuals with seizure disorders or other serious medical conditions should be accompanied by an individual knowledgeable of their condition and responsible who can provide immediate assistance if needed.

All public swims are subject to admission rules and capacity restrictions.

Please note: Private lessons are NOT allowed during recreational swim times. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Our Swim Admission Policy Standards

Swimmers must meet the requirements of the following admission standards to be granted entrance into any pool.

Stop! Ages 0-6

• Children age 6 and under may not enter the swimming pool unless they are accompanied by a guardian 14 years of age or older.
• The guardian is responsible for their direct supervision and must be in the water and able to assist immediately.
• Two children per guardian (ages 14+) or up to four children per guardian if all children wear life-jackets.

Caution. Ages 7-9

• Children age 7 to 9 who are non-swimmers must be accompanied by a guardian 14 years of age or older.
• The guardian is responsible for their direct supervision and must be in the water and able to assist immediately.
• Two children (non-swimmers) per guardian (ages 14+) or up to four children (non-swimmers) per guardian if all children wear life-jackets.

Children age 7 to 9 who can successfully pass the facility swim test may enter the pool unsupervised. Swimming with a buddy is strongly recommended.

OK! Ages 10+

Children age 10 years or older may enter the pool area unsupervised. Swimming with a buddy is strongly recommended.

Swim testing

To successfully pass the Facility Swim Test, individuals must demonstrate comfort in the water and be able to swim on their front for a minimum of two widths of the pool continuously in shallow water.

Pool admittance policy

• Any parents/guardians on the pool deck as spectators pay the regular admission fee due to lifeguard ratio requirements, whether they swim or not.
• Parents/guardians in the pool gallery as spectators are not part of swim ratio and do not have to pay.

Water slide admittance policy

• Riders at Iroquois Ridge Pool must be a minimum height of 107 cm (also recommended that riders can swim the width of the pool).
• Riders at Glen Abbey Pool must be a minimum height of 107 cm and able to pass the Facility Swim Test.

Medical conditions

Individuals with seizure disorders or other serious medical conditions should be accompanied by an individual knowledgeable of their condition and responsible who can provide immediate assistance if needed.

Children that pass the Facility Swim Test can swim on their own.

Healthy swim etiquette

To ensure our facilities are kept clean and operate efficiently, all participants are required to:

• Take a complete and cleansing shower (while clothed in the swim attire that will be worn inside the pool area).
• Wear appropriate swimming attire or clothing that is different from the clothing worn to the facility.
  • Clothing should be light weight fabric and free from rips/tears, rivets, dangling strings, denim and zippers.
  • Bottoms must cover the buttocks area and must not be see-through.
  • Bring clean flip flops or sandals to wear on the pool deck. Street shoes are not permitted on the pool deck.
• Refrain from using the pool when ill, or if they have experienced diarrhea in the past week.
• Prevent pool fouling! Please refrain from feeding children or eating large meals before swimming. All swimmers are encouraged to visit the washroom before entering the pool.
• Ensure children who are not toilet trained wear swim diapers made for swimming. These are available for purchase at the customer service desk.
• Dress in suitable bathing or clean outdoor attire and pay the posted admission fee before entering the pool deck area.
• Bring your reusable drinking containers! Only water in plastic bottles are permitted on the pool deck.
• Ensure children are never left unattended.

Please note also:

• Strollers are not permitted on our sanitized decks, except for the Outdoor Pool decks.
• Anyone under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs will not be allowed into the facility and consumption of these substances is not permitted on the pool deck or in the facility.

Recreational swims

• Combo – All ages. Leisure swim with at least one lane reserved for lengths.
• Family Fun – All ages. Groups must be accompanied by at least one adult, 18 years or older. The "under seven years" rules also apply for the family swim.
• Healing Waters – This non-instructional time is for those who require space and time in the water to work through prescribed exercises. Bring a personal therapist (both therapist and client required to pay admission) or work independently. A qualified lifeguard is on duty and specialty equipment is available for your use.
• Leisure – All ages. Diving boards are open. Pool toys and floatation aids allowed in shallow end, except during peak periods.
• Lengths – Pool is divided into slow, medium and fast lanes. Diving boards are closed. All swimmers must be able to swim 25 metres.
• Swim Training – Your own fitness workout to train for a triathlon or a swim competition. Open to all lap swimmers including elite swimmers, master swimmers and club swimmers.  Half-pool divided into medium and fast lanes.
• Swim Your Way – A community fun swim for people of all abilities.
• Water Jogging – All ages. A non-instructional fitness opportunity in deep end of pool. Must be able to swim 25 metres.
• Women's Only Combo – Female only, aged seven (7) and up, children six (6) and under (admission standards apply). Leisure swim with at least one lane reserved for lengths.

Waterfit

• Adult Endurance (Drop-in) – An "all swimming" workout consisting of a warm up, a main set, and a cool down. An excellent cardiovascular activity.
• Aquacycle – Participants are fit with a unique aquatic stationary bike, which allows them to take advantage of the resistance of the water while they pedal. An Aquacycle class provides a cardiovascular workout and stress-free training for the joints and muscles. Water shoes or sneakers are required to participate.
• Aqua Pilates – Try this fun low-level Pilates class focusing on core strength with the therapeutic effects of exercising and stretching in the water (increased range of motion, postural alignment, and improved muscle strength with no impact load on the joints).
• Fluid Zen – A combination of QIgong, Tai Chi and aqua-fitness movements that flow together to create a dynamic meditative experience in the water.
• Gentle Waterfit – A gentle water exercise program for those with arthritis, fibromyalgia or any other condition affecting mobility and quality of life.
• Swim and Trim – The first 15 minutes of this hour-long class consists of a non-instructional length swim or water jog warm-up, followed by a 45-minute Waterfit class.
• Waterfit – An all exercise workout. No swimming skills required. Conducted in shallow or deep water.

Single admission recreational swims and Waterfit options

Please note: Prices are effective February 1, 2019 and include applicable taxes. Each admission fee entitles you to one recreational swim.

• Single admission – $4.75
• Seniors single admission (ages 65+) – $3.80
• Youth single admission (ages 2-17) – $3.80
• Group (max. five people, at least one person age 18+) – $14.25
• Children under 2 years of age – No charge
• Waterfit – $11.87 (ages 13-64) or $9.49 (65+)

Save with our annual, three-month and 10-visit passes!

With any of our General Activity Passes, you get:

• access to all indoor and outdoor pools during recreational swims, PLUS
• access to all arenas during recreational skates, PLUS
• access to drop-in sports* including basketball, pickleball, and more!

*Does not include rock climbing and shinny hockey.

A 10-visit General Activity Pass is a great way to save money without worrying about an expiry date!

The following prices include HST, as applicable. A fee of $11.30 is applied to all passes purchased by non-residents, except 10-visit passes.

Annual General Activity Passes

• Annual individual pass – $264.42
• Annual senior pass (ages 65+) – $211.54
• Annual youth pass (ages 2-17) – $211.54
• Annual family** pass – $473.47

Three-month General Activity Passes

• Three-month individual pass – $88.14
• Three-month senior pass (ages 65+) – $70.51
• Three-month youth pass (ages 2-17) – $70.51
• Three-month family** pass – $159.90

10-visit Passes

• General Activity 10-visit pass – $42.71
• Seniors (ages 65+) General Activity 10-visit pass – $34.13
• Youth (ages 2-17) General Activity 10-visit pass – $34.13
• Waterfit 10-visit pass – $106.79 (ages 13-64) or $84.75 (65+)

• **A family with one or two adult guardians over the age of 18 and their dependents, 18 years of age or under, or full-time students under the age of 25 qualifies for a family pass. Multiple families cannot be combined on any pass purchase.
• Monthly fees are based on the commitment of a yearly membership. Initial payment will include first month membership fee, equipment surcharge and applicable taxes.
• Lost or stolen cards are subject to a replacement fee.

Visit the Fitness Centres page for information about more memberships, with options that include unlimited access to recreational swimming and Waterfit classes.