Due to Provincial restrictions to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the City has temporarily closed its indoor recreation and cultural facilities and suspended drop-in and registered programs, except for essential services and virtual programs. Up to date information regarding closures can be found in the City news section.
Due to Provincial restrictions to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the City has temporarily closed its indoor recreation and cultural facilities and suspended drop-in and registered programs, except for essential services and virtual programs. Up to date information regarding closures can be found in the City news section.
Clients can go to their online account to withdraw from a registered program and can request a refund for the credit on their account. If assistance is required, please contact 123go@ottawa.ca.
You can also register in person by visiting a recreation facility or client service centre.
Splash pads are closed for the season.
For more information please email seasonalrecreation@ottawa.ca.
This interactive map shows you the locations of Ottawa’s splash pads. Splash pads marked in light blue are accessible.
Bring the kids to a neighbourhood wading pool to cool off and play. The 53 wading pools across the city are closed for the season.
There is no cost to swim at a City of Ottawa wading pool.
This interactive map shows you the locations of Ottawa's wading pools, along with their dates and hours of operation. Wading pools marked in light blue are accessible.
Height requirement: 45 inches (115 cm)
Facility's swim test: Must be able to independently recover from floating on their front and back, and be able to cross the deepest part of the pool unassisted.
| Age | Admission requirements | Guardian:child ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Five years and under |
Parent/guardian 14 years or older must be within arms reach at all times |
1:4 |
| Six to nine years, height under 115 cm and cannot pass facility's swim test |
Parent/guardian 14 years or older must be within arms reach at all times |
1:4 |
| Six to nine years, height at least 115 cm or passes facility's swim test | Actively supervised by parent or guardian 14 years or older | N/A |
| 10 years and older | No supervision, facility swim test or minimum height required | N/A |
| Age | Admission requirements | Staff:child ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Five years and under |
Staff must be within arms reach at all times Child must wear a wristband |
1:4 |
| Six to nine years, height under 115 cm and cannot pass facility's swim test |
Staff must be within arms reach at all times Child must wear a wristband |
1:4 |
| Six to nine years, height at least 115 cm or passes facility's swim test | Always accompanied by staff | 1:10 |
| 10 years and older, height at least 115 cm or passes facility's swim test | Always accompanied by staff | 1:15 |
Each ratio above indicates the maximum number of children that one responsible person 14 years or older can supervise. They may not have any additional children under their care unless the other children are at least six years old and able to pass the facility's swim test or meet the height requirement.
The City conducts water quality testing and has lifeguards on duty at municipal beaches daily from noon to 7 pm starting June 27 until August 30, 2020. Please check back here for current information on beaches reopening, and Ottawa Public Health’s website for water quality testing results.
Put your toes in the sand or get involved in some water fun at one of the City’s public beaches.
Britannia Beach will be closed to swimmers and beachgoers this summer for riverbed restoration. The beach will re-open for public swimming and all other beach activities in 2021. Learn more
Accessible wheel chairs available at Mooney’s Bay Beach, Petrie Island Beach and Westboro Beach. Available daily between noon to 6:30 pm
There is no lift on site.
To book an event at the beach, contact Centralized Allocations:
To bring your group to swim at the beach, contact Beach Operations:
A wonderful sandy beach with spectacular views across the Ottawa River. Great for picnics, a stroll, a swim, a game of volleyball or to watch the boats go by.
Britannia Beach will be closed to swimmers and beachgoers this summer for riverbed restoration. The beach will re-open for public swimming and all other beach activities in 2021. Learn more
A popular summer destination for swimmers, rowers and special events, including Dragon Boat Races and HOPE Volleyball.
This beach is located on National Capital Commission property at Kitchissippi Lookout on the Ottawa River.
Have fun at the beaches and play safe by following water safety guidelines.
For additional information please visit the City of Ottawa’s Safety and supervisory standards in City pools and beaches.
Beach water quality is tested daily for the presence of E coli bacteria. Learn more from Ottawa Public Health.
There are safety standards so that everyone can enjoy the City’s swimming pools and beaches.
If you are unsure of how these requirements apply to you, please contact the pool before your visit.
To ensure adequate supervision and to identify people at greater risk, all swimmers need to wear a City-issued coloured wristband to get in the pool.
Non-swimmers and those who cannot pass the facility's swim test must remain in shallow water.
Each ratio below indicates the maximum number of children that one responsible person 14 years or older can supervise. The parent or guardian must be in proper bathing attire, in the water, actively participating and within arm’s reach at all times.
| Age | Requirements | Guardian:child ratio | Wristband |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 years and under | Accompanied by parent/guardian 14 years or older who must be actively participating and within arms reach at all times | 1:2 | Orange |
| 6 to 7 | Accompanied by parent/guardian 14 years or older who must be actively participating and within arms reach at all times |
1:4 or 1:6 if wearing life jackets |
Orange |
| 8 to 10, did not pass facility's swim test | Always accompanied by parent/guardian 14 years or older who must be actively participating and within arms reach at all times | 1:4 or 1:8 if wearing life jackets | Orange |
| 8 to 10, passed facility's swim test | No guardian supervision required | N/A | Green |
| Age | Requirements | Guardian:child ratio |
|---|---|---|
| 5 years and under | Accompanied by parent/guardian 14 years or older who must be actively participating and within arms reach at all times | 1:2 |
| 6 to 7 years | Accompanied by parent/guardian 14 years or older who must be actively participating and within arms reach at all times |
1:4 or 1:6 if wearing life jackets/PFDs |
| 8 to 10 years | Accompanied by parent/guardian 14 years or older who must be actively participating and within arms reach at all times | 1:4 or 1:8 if wearing life jackets/PFDs |
| 11 to 13 years | Accompanied by parent/guardian 14 years or older | 1:15 |
High-risk people must be in a ratio of 1:1. High-risk people have a condition or illness that may put them at risk in a pool, such as frequent seizures or fainting conditions. This includes people who are unable to control their behaviour or impulses and require direct supervision. The supervisory ratios for groups of high-risk people will be determined by pool staff based on the specific needs of the people and their associated risks. We recommend you call the pool before you visit.
Please note that City Council has approved two fee increases for 2021 registered programs, admissions, memberships and rentals: a 2.5% Cost of Living Allowance fee increase, and a temporary 1.95% fee increase to offset costs incurred due to COVID 19.
Bearbrook Outdoor Pool, Beaverbrook Outdoor Pool, Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex-Orléans, Brewer Pool, Canterbury Pool, Corkstown Outdoor Pool, Crestview Outdoor Pool, Deborah Anne Kirwan Pool, Entrance Outdoor Pool, François Dupuis Recreation Centre, General Burns Outdoor Pool, Genest Outdoor Pool, Glen Cairn Outdoor Pool, Katimavik Outdoor Pool, Lowertown Pool, Pinecrest Recreation Centre, Plant Recreation Centre, Sawmill Creek Pool
CARDELREC Recreation Complex Goulbourn, Minto Recreation Complex-Barrhaven, Nepean Sportsplex, Richcraft Recreation Complex-Kanata, Splash Wave Pool
Kanata Leisure Centre and Wave Pool, Ray Friel Recreation Complex, Splash Wave Pool
A swim membership gives you access to scheduled public swim sessions (excluding wave swims) at all City pools. A combined swim and aquafitness membership gives you access to a variety of fitness classes in different depths of water.
Membership fees include HST.
Please note that City Council has approved two fee increases for 2021 registered programs, admissions, memberships and rentals: a 2.5% Cost of Living Allowance fee increase, and a temporary 1.95% fee increase to offset costs incurred due to COVID 19.
| 1 month | 3 months | 6 months | 1 year | |
| Seniors, students, youth, children | $25.50 | $50.50 | $92.25 | $166.75 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | $55.25 | $109.50 | $200.25 | $362.25 |
| Household | $106.75 | $212.50 | $388.75 | $670.50 |
| 1 month | 3 months | 6 months | 1 year | |
| Seniors, students, youth, children | $51.50 | $116.50 | $178.50 | $293.25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | $70.25 | $159.75 | $256 | $398.25 |
| Household | $129.75 | $257.75 | $446.75 | $816 |
| 1 month | 3 months | 6 months | 1 year | |
| Seniors, students, youth | $57.25 | $113 | $206.50 | $374 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adults | $70.75 | $140.75 | $256.75 | $466 |
| Household | $114 | $252.50 | $461.50 | $838 |
| 1 month | 3 months | 6 months | 1 year | |
| Seniors, students, youth, children | $63.25 | $125.25 | $229.25 | $415.50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | $78.75 | $155.75 | $285.25 | $517.50 |
| Household | $121 | $280.25 | $511.75 | $931 |
Drowning is fast, silent and preventable. This page provides helpful tips to ensure water safety at all times.
Whether at the beach, in a deep pool or in an inflatable pool, young swimmers should always be supervised by a responsible adult who:
Here is how you can be a Water Watcher:
Did you know that:
Everyone using your pool should:
Does your pool fence meet the City's Pool enclosure By-Laws?
Does the by-law apply to a portable pool?
Lifejackets, personal floatation devices, water wings, "pool noodles" and other floatation devices do not keep you safe in the pool. This equipment can be fun, but it is not a replacement for adult supervision!
Lifejackets and personal floatation devices must fit correctly to work. We don't recommend water wings as they can deflate or slip, leaving a child dangling under water.
Many factors including temperature, thickness, snow cover, water depth and currents can affect ice safety.
More tips can be found on the Red Cross and Life Saving Society web sites.
