Older adult activities

Swim, dance, learn a new game or hobby, or join a fitness class.

Find season-long programs and courses customized to older adults on Register Ottawa(link is external), the City of Ottawa’s registration site. You’re welcome to join any adult or family program but if you prefer, there are sessions tailored specifically for the 50-plus age group.

Older adult programs are easy to find using the search tool on Register Ottawa(link is external) but for your convenience, a list of search results is below. If you’d like to do a more specific search, start by selecting older adults from this list and then narrow the results by selecting your preferred activity category.

• Adults 50+(link is external)
• Older adults(link is external)
• Active Living Club(link is external)
  • Cycling(link is external)
• Dance(link is external)
• Fitness and wellness(link is external)
• Hobbies and interests(link is external)
• Theatre arts / drama(link is external)

For more information about registered programs, see Courses and Camps.

Drop-in to a nearby recreation centre for fitness, skating or swimming sessions or join in recreational games at a seniors' centre or community-run seniors' program.

Find schedules for City of Ottawa seniors' centres and recreation centres on their individual pages. Advanced registration may be required.

Call, stop in, or visit the websites of community-operated seniors' programs to find out what games and activities are being offered. 

Drop-in descriptions

• Sports and fitness  
• Skating 
• Swimming 
• Recreational games

Participating in drop-in recreation is a great way to stay active and have fun without a big commitment. Many residents appreciate the flexibility of our drop-in programs, which fit easily into their schedules. Whether you're interested in swimming, aquafit, group fitness, sports, skating, ice sports, racquet sports, or curling, there's something for everyone at City of Ottawa recreation centres, pools and arenas.

Drop in and discover how easy and enjoyable it can be to stay active and meet new people. Your next favorite activity is just a visit away!

How it works

Currently, there’s no online tool to find programs by type, but you can view them by location. Some facilities also have printed schedules at their counters.

1. Find your facility - Use the search page or type the facility’s name in the search bar at the top of any page.
2. View schedules - Check the drop-in schedules on the facility’s page.
3. Check reservations - See if reservations are needed. If so, click the Reservation button and follow the steps to register online. Reservations open at 6 pm two days before the program date.
4. Payment - No payment is taken online for drop-in programs. Pay-as-you-go or explore our memberships or multi-visit passes for savings. These apply to swimming, skating, sports and fitness alone or combined. Ensure you have time to pay the admission fee before the session starts.
5. Cancellations - If you can’t attend, cancel your reservation to free up the spot for someone else. You can find the cancellation link in your email confirmation or on the reservation landing page. Alternatively, you can call the facility to cancel. Check the facility page for any cancellations or holiday changes.

Single visit drop-in fees

Ages 65+

Fees shown do not include HST. Applicable taxes will be added during the payment process.

• Fitness: $8.09 
• Fitness - Multi-visit Passes
  • 10 visits: $68
  • 20 visits: $125.83
• Swimming:
  • standard or outdoor pool $3.57
  • leisure pool $4.76
  • wave swim $8.09
  • aquafitness $8.06
• Sport: $4.28 (per hour)
  • Sport: 10 visits: $37.01
• Public skating: $3.10
  • Specialized skating: $6.86
• Senior centre: $2.08 (per visit)

Consider membership or multi-visit passes for cost-savings.

Ottawa residents 50+ can enjoy a variety of virtual programs designed to promote learning, wellness, and community engagement—all from the comfort of home! Programs cater to a wide range of interests, including fitness classes, educational workshops, and creative arts. Whether you're looking to stay active, develop new skills, or connect with others in the community, there's something for everyone. Best of all, these programs are funded, making them accessible to all. If your preferred class isn’t available right away, simply join the waitlist for updates on new openings! For a full list of virtual programs available, visit register.ottawa.ca(link is external). Enjoy your class!

Spring

City-operated seniors centres

• Churchill Seniors Centre, 345 Richmond Road
• Heron Seniors Centre, 1480 Heron Road
• Kanata Seniors Centre, 2500 Campeau Drive
• Nepean Seniors Recreation Centre, 1701 Woodroffe Avenue

English community-operated senior centres

• Abbotsford Senior Centre, 613-230-5730
• Gloucester Senior Adults’ Centre(link is external), 613-749-1974
• Gloucester South Seniors Centre, 613-822-0020
• Hobbs Seniors' Club(link is external), 613-462-4082
• The Good Companions, 613-236-0428

French community-operated senior centres

• Centre de services Guigues, 613-241-1266
• Centre Pauline Charron (Vanier)(link is external), 613-741-0562
• Centre Séraphin-Marion d'Orléans(link is external), 613-830-6436
• Rendez-vous des aînés francophones d'Ottawa(link is external), 613-834-6808
• Hobbs Seniors' Club(link is external), 613-462-4082

Visit a participating facility to sign up for a free Try It fitness pass. No appointment needed. Your free pass gives you three visits to participating facilities.

Access

• Weight and cardio rooms
• Squash and racquetball courts
• Aquafitness classes
• Indoor cycling classes
• Public skating sessions
• Group fitness classes

Details

• Passes begin on your first day of use and must be used within 30 days.
• Passes can only be used at participating locations.
• Users must not have been a member of the City of Ottawa fitness within the past six months.
• Users must be 13 years or older. 

Participating facilities

• Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex-Orléans
• Brewer Pool and Arena
• Canterbury Recreation Complex
• François Dupuis Recreation Centre
• CARDELREC Recreation Complex Goulbourn
• Greenboro Community Centre
• Heron Road Community Centre
• Hunt Club-Riverside Park Community Centre
• Jack Purcell Community Centre
• Kanata Leisure Centre and Wave Pool
• Minto Recreation Complex-Barrhaven
• Nepean Sportsplex
• Pinecrest Recreation Complex
• Plant Recreation Centre
• Ray Friel Recreation Complex
• Richcraft Recreation Complex-Kanata
• Sawmill Creek Community Centre and Pool
• Splash Wave Pool
• St-Laurent Complex
• Walter Baker Sports Centre