Calgary has a lot of different recreation centres that offer more than just a pool for families including things like public skating, open gym times and sometimes even climbing walls.
Note: If you are going for something specific (particularly the water slides as they are not always in operation), it is a good idea to phone or check their website for the schedule before heading out. Also, some popular pools will reach capacity on busy days so if you are going at a peak time you may want to call ahead.
Lockers are usually available but can differ as to whether you need to bring your own lock or whether they take quarters or loonies.
1. Trico Centre for Family Wellness
Address: 11150 Bonaventure Dr SE
Admission Cost: Family $28, Adult $14, Preschooler $3.05, Child $5.50, Teen $8.00. Other rate options are available.
Pool Features: wave pool, waterslide, hot tub.
Other Drop-in Activities: Drop in gym (including nerf wars), skating, shinny
2. Southland Leisure Centre
Address: 2000 Southland Dr. S.W.
Admission Cost: Family $29.35, Adult $13.35, Preschooler $3.30, Child/Youth $6.70. Other rate options available
Pool Features: wave pool, waterslides, splash zone, tot pool and hot tub
Other Drop-in Activities: public skating, climbing wall, gymnastics, basketball, badminton, pickleball as well as other indoor sports.
Good to know: Southland offers Toys in the Water Park on Thursday evenings
3.Village Square Leisure Centre
Address: 2623 56 St. N.E.
Admission Cost: Family $29.35, Adult $13.35, Preschooler $3.30, Child/Youth $6.70. Other rate options available
Pool Features: Waterpark includes a wave pool, huge water slides, a dive tank, tot pool, splash zone and hot tub.
Other Drop-in Activities: drop-in public skating times and open-gymnasium times (eg badminton, soccer, basketball)
Also at this Location: Village Square Library
4. Westside Recreation Centre
Address: 2000 69 Street SW
Admission Cost: Family $33, Adult $16, Youth $10, Adult & Child $17. Other rate options are available
Pool Features: Wave pool, lap pool, tot pool, waterslide, lazy river, hot tub, steam room.
Other Drop-in Activities: youth wellness centre, climbing wall, leisure ice arena (ice skating/inline skating), gymnasium, outdoor skate park
5. Vivo (formerly Cardel Place)
Address: 11950 Country Village Link NE
Admission Cost: Family $30, Adult $15, Preschool $5, Child $7, Youth $9. Other rate options are available
Pool Features: Lane swimming, tot pool, waterpark with spray features, zero depth entry, lazy river, hot tub
Other Drop-in Activities: climbing wall, public skating, gymnasiums
Also at this location: Country Hills Library
Calgary YMCAs
Admission Cost: YMCA – Family $28.85, Adult $16.00, Youth $9.50, Child (8-11) $7.25, Child (2-7) $5.25
Good to know: Most YMCAs require you to bring your own lock.
6. Shawnessy YMCA
The Shawnessy YMCA is part of the Cardel Rec South complex. Most of the family drop in activities are through the YMCA but Cardel Rec South offers a lot of programming.
Address: 333 Shawville Blvd. SE
Pool Features: Swimming pool with hot tub
Other Drop-in Activities: Climbing wall, Open gymnasium times (eg family gym, badminton, basketball), shinny, public skating
Also at this Location: Cardel Rec South – Shawnessy Library
7. Saddletowne YMCA/Genesis Centre
The Saddletowne YMCA is part of the Genesis Centre complex. Most of the family drop in activities are through the YMCA but the Genesis Centre offers a lot of programming and drop-in gym activities like badminton, basketball and indoor soccer.
Address: 7555 Falconridge Blvd. NE
Pool Features: pool and hot tub
Other Drop-in Activities: climbing and Open gymnasium times (eg open gym, badminton)
Also at this location: Saddletowne Library
8. Remington YMCA in Quarry Park
Address: 108 Quarry Park Rd SE
Pool Features: 25m, 6 lane swimming pool, Small leisure pool, Hot tub
Other Drop-in Activities: Open gymnasium times (eg. family open gym and family playground in the gym)
Also at this Location: Quarry Park Library
9. Gray Family Eau Claire YMCA
Address: 101 3 Street SW
Pool Features: 25m swimming pool, hot tub
Other Drop-in Activities: Open gymnasium times (eg. Family open gym, Family playground in the gym, youth open gym)
Also at this location: Across the plaza from Eau Claire Market and Eau Claire wading pool
10. Melcor YMCA at Crowfoot
Address: 8100 John Laurie Blvd NW
Pool Features: 25m swimming pool
Other Drop-in Activities: Open gymnasium times (eg. Open gym, family drop-in, youth basketball)
Also at this location: The Crowfoot Library is a short distance away in a different lot
11. Shane Homes YMCA at Rocky Ridge
Address: 11300 Rocky Ridge Road NW
Pool Features: 8-lane, 25m pool and wave pool with a water slide, ‘lazy river’ and one on-deck hot tub.
Other Drop-in Activities: indoor climbing, Open Gymnasium times, public skating
Good to know: Minimum Height requirement for water slide is 40 inches.
Also at this location: Rocky Ridge Library
12. Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton
Address: 4995 Market Street SE
Pool Features: 25m swimming pool, competition pool, diver tower, leisure pool with lazy river, aquatic play area, two water slides (one used with inflatable tubes, flowrider, hot tub)
Other Drop-in Activities: public skating, open gym times
Good to know: Minimum Height requirement for water slides is 40 inches. Flow rider: minimum height of 42 inches to bodyboard (ride lying down), minimum height of 52 inches to flowride (ride standing up)
Also at this Location: Seton Library
Outside of Calgary
13. Genesis Centre
Address: 800 East Lake Blvd NE, Airdrie
Admission Cost: Family $23.55, Adult $11.05, Preschooler $4.05, Child $5.65, Youth $7. Other rates available.
Pool Features: Six-lane, 25 metre competitive pool, Dive tank with one metre board, small slide and aquatic climbing wall, Hot tub, Leisure pool with spray toy features and a lazy river, Tot pool
Other Drop-in Activities: public skating, family track, open gym times, family fitness
14. Okotoks Recreation Centre
Address: 99 Okotoks Drive, Okotoks
Admission Cost: Family $17, Adult $8.50, Preschool $2, Child $3.25, Student $6.50. Other rate options are available.
Pool Features: leisure pool with tot area, lap pool, hot tub, diving board, swing rope, inflatable toys
Other Drop-in Activities: Open gym times, public skating
15. Spray Lakes Sawmills Family Sports Centre
Address: 800 Griffin Rd E, Cochrane, AB
Admission Cost: Single activity drop in – Family $20, Youth $5, Adult $12.
Day pass – Family $32, Youth $12, Adult $20
Pool Features: lap pool, leisure pool with spray features, lazy river, hot tub, warm therapy pool, a spray park outside and two water slides
Other Drop-in Activities: Climbing wall, fitness centre, curling centre, drop-in activities, public skating, gymnasium
Good to know: Minimum height requirement for water slides is 41 inches.
see our review of the Jayman BUILT Aquatic Centre at Spray Lakes Family Sports Centre
