Which water parks or swimming pools are open for families?
Calgary offers a wide range of water activities for families, from large water parks with slides and wave pools to cozy children's pools and spray parks. Summer in Alberta is short, so the city has provided both indoor and outdoor options so that families can enjoy water activities all year round.
1. Large water centers with family attractions
| Center | Address | Main attractions | Prices (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southland Leisure Centre | 2000 Southland Dr SW | Wave pool, 3 water slides, children's water park, hot tub | Adults $7.25, children $5.75, family (2+2) $22 |
| Village Square Leisure Centre | 2623 56 St NE | 4-story water tower, “ice river,” children's splash park | Adults $8.50, children $6.75, family $26 |
| Genesis Centre | 7780 Ranchview Dr NW | Olympic-size pool, children's area, spray attractions | Adults $6.50, children $5.25, family $20 |
All centers have family-style changing rooms, special hours for toddlers, and heated pools.
2. Neighborhood aquatic centers for daily visits
| Center | Neighborhood | Specialization | What's available for kids |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inglewood Aquatic Centre | Inglewood | Fitness swimming + family hours | Shallow children's pool, toys |
| Renfrew Aquatic Centre | Bridgeland-Riverside | Swimming lessons | Parent & Tot programs, children's lessons |
| Thornhill Park Aquatic Centre | Forest Heights | Therapeutic swimming | Heated pool, wheelchair accessible |
| Killarney Aquatic Centre | Killarney-Glengarry | Public swimming | Family swim, kids' hours |
3. Summer outdoor pools and lagoons
City outdoor pools
| Pool | Location | Season | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillhurst-Sunnyside Outdoor Pool | Riley Park | June–August | 25-meter pool, children's section |
| North Mount Pleasant Outdoor Pool | 1415 7 Ave NE | June–August | Public pool with shallow end |
| Shouldice Park Outdoor Pool | 1515 Home Rd NW | June–August | Large pool + separate children's pool |
Natural lagoons
| Location | Type of water body | Services |
|---|---|---|
| Bowness Park Lagoon | Natural lagoon | Beach, lifeguards, boat rentals |
| Sikome Lake (Fish Creek Provincial Park) | Artificial lake | Beach, spray zones, café, parking $15/day |
4. Water parks and water playgrounds
| Name | Address | Free | When open |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prince’s Island Spray Park | Prince’s Island | Yes | May–September (activated when ≥+15 °C) |
| Olympic Plaza Fountains | Downtown | Yes | 24 hours a day during warm weather |
| Riley Park Spray Deck | Hillhurst | Yes | June–August, 10:00–20:00 |
| Rotary Park Spray Features | Crescent Heights | Yes | May–October |
| Shaw Millennium Park Water Plaza | Eau Claire | Yes | April–October |
5. Programs for families and children
Swimming lessons
- Red Cross Swimming Lessons – Ages 6 months (with parents) to teens
– Group and private lessons, water safety certification
– Locations: all major aqua centers
-
Parent & Tot Programs
– For children ages 6 months–3 years with parents
– 30-minute sessions, focus on water adaptation
– Cost: $8–12 per session
Aquafitness for families
- Family Aquafit – Southland and Village Square – Saturdays 10:00–10:45 – Water exercises for the whole family, included in the day pass
6. Special programs and events
-
Pirate Adventure Days (summer) – Costumed entertainers and treasure hunt in the pool
-
Under the Sea Nights (winter)
– Themed decorations, underwater games, and contests
- Adaptive Aquatics – Programs for children with special needs – Specially trained instructors, adapted equipment
7. Practical information
Hours (typical)
- Weekdays: 5:30 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
- Saturdays: 6:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
- Sundays: 8:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
Family hours (fewer people): – Weekdays 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. – Weekends 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
What to bring
✅ Swimsuits, towels, flip-flops for the pool
✅ Safety goggles for children
✅ Swim diapers (for toddlers)
✅ Snacks in sealed containers
✅ Sunscreen (for outdoor pools)
✅ Change of clothes
Safety rules
- Children under 8 years of age must be supervised by adults.
- Showering is mandatory before entering the pool.
- Glass is not allowed near the water and running around the pool is prohibited.
- Lifeguards are on duty at all public water parks.
8. Membership and passes
| Pass type | Cost | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Family annual | $720 | Unlimited visits to all centers |
| Adult annual | $420 | Individual access |
| Child annual | $320 | For ages 17 and under |
| Family Day Pass | $30 | One-time visit |
Discounts available for low-income, large families, and newcomers (CFN programs).
9. Transportation and accessibility
-
C-Train: – Southland Station → 10 min walk to Southland Leisure – Whitehorn Station → bus 57 to Village Square – Ranchlands Station → bus 20 to Genesis
-
Parking: – Free at most centers – Paid in downtown (Prince’s Island, Olympic Plaza) – Parking meters $2–4/hour in the center
10. Seasonal features
- Summer (June–August): outdoor pools and spray parks in full swing; high attendance
- Winter (December–February): focus on indoor water centers and therapeutic pools
- Spring/fall: moderate prices, fewer crowds, ideal for learning to swim
Conclusion
Calgary offers a variety of water spaces for families:
-
3 large aqua centers with slides and attractions
-
8+ neighborhood centers for daily visits
-
10+ free spray parks in the summer
-
2 natural lagoons and beaches
-
Annual swimming and aqua fitness programs
Regardless of the age of your children or the season, there is a suitable pool or water park in the city for an active and safe family vacation!