Feeling the summer heat? Cool off by dipping your toes — or a whole lot more — in one of these 15 Calgary and area water parks, pools and watering holes during the summer months.
Indoor Pools and Water Parks
Whether you want to hone your front stroke, float lackadaisically down an indoor river, or plummet down a waterslide; take the opportunity to do whatever floats your boat and be sure to visit your local indoor pool or recreation centre.
1. Repsol Sport Centre
Work on your summer bod by swimming laps in one of the Respol Sport Centres two eight-lane pools, or reach new heights by launching off the dive towers — ranging from three metres, five metres, seven metres and 10 metres.
Hours: Friday: 5 am to 11 pm
Saturday: 6 am to 10 pm
Sunday: 7 am to 10 pm
Monday to Thursday: 5 am to 11 pm
Fee: $15 (Adult Drop-In)
Address: 2225 Macleod Trail SE
Contact: 403-233-8393, repsolsportcentre.com
2. Village Square Leisure Centre
Take a trip on the whimsical side, and test-drive one of Village Square Leisure Centre’s many water slides at the facilities safari-themed water park, wave pool and splash zone. And of course, no trip to the recreation centre would be complete without taking a turn down the Thunder Slide.
Hours: Monday to Friday: 6 am to 10 pm
Saturday: 8 am to 10 pm
Sunday: 8 am to 6 pm
Fee: $12.50
Address: 2623 56 St. NE
Contact: 403-366-3900, calgary.ca
3. Westside Recreation Centre
One of the highlights at the Westside Recreation Centre — in addition to the wave pool, lap pool and water slide — is the facility’s indoor lazy river. Perfect for escaping a rainy day, grab a tube and drift downstream to your heart’s delight.
Hours: Monday to Thursday: 5:30 am to 10:30 pm
Friday: 5:30 am to 9 pm
Saturday to Sunday: 7 am to 9 pm
Fee: $15 (Adult Drop-In)
Address: 2000 69 St. SW
Contact: 403-531-5875, westsiderec.com
Outdoor Pools
Grab your favourite beach towel, eye-candy, and sunscreen, and soak up the sun poolside by spending a lazy summer afternoon at one of YYC’s eight outdoor pools.
4. Bowview Outdoor Pool
On the off chance Calgary’s wacky weather throws us a chilly summer day, venture down to Bowview Outdoor Pool. The facility has not just one, but two heated pools — perfect for having your cake and eating it too in all temperatures.
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 2 pm to 8 pm
Fee: $7 (Adult Drop-In)
Address: 1910 6 Ave. NW
Contact: 403-221-3571, calgaryoutdoorpools.ca
5. Highwood Outdoor Pool
Pack some lunch and enjoy a swim at Highwood Outdoor Pool before heading to one of the facilities poolside picnic tables for a mid-afternoon break. One can also visit the pool’s concession for a quick refreshment.
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 8 am to 8 pm
Fee: $7 (Adult Drop-In)
Address: 25 Holmwood Ave. NW
Contact: 403-221-3574, calgaryoutdoorpools.ca
6. South Calgary Outdoor Pool
This facility’s T-shaped pool with six 25-metre swimming lanes is ideal for athletic types to work on their front strokes. Alternatively, the attached deep pool is just as wonderful for those wishing for a more relaxed swim.
Hours: Monday to Sunday 1 pm to 8 pm
Fee: $7 (Adult Drop-In)
Address: 3130 16 St. SW
Contact: 403-245-0379, calgaryoutdoorpools.ca
7. Stanley Park Outdoor Pool
Meander through the beautiful Stanley Park before making your way to the area’s outdoor pool for a quick dip. The facility features a wading pool, water spray ring and an eight lane 25-metre long pool with zero depth entry — perfect for easing into the water at your leisure.
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 12 pm to 7 pm
Fee: $7 (Adult Drop-In)
Address: 4a St. SW & Riverdale Ave. SW
Contact: 403-221-3577, calgaryoutdoorpools.ca
Wading Pools, Spray Parks and Fountains
Re-live memories of running through your parent’s sprinkler during your early years and splash around one of the city’s spray parks, wading pools and fountains this summer.
8. Central Memorial Park Sidewalk Fountains
Stop for brunch at The Beltliner, then head down to Central Memorial Park for a mosey through the beautiful scenery before cooling down by splashing around at the park’s sidewalk fountains.
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 5 am to 11 pm
Fee: Free!!
Address: 1221 2 St. SW
Contact: 403-268-2489, beltline.ca
9. Eau Claire Plaza Spray Park
No Calgary summer experience is complete without a visit to Eau Claire Plaza. Start by exploring the surrounding island and then beat the heat by visiting the area’s spray park.
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 5 am to 11 pm
Fee: Free!!
Address: 3 St. & Riverfront Ave. SW
Contact: calgary.ca
10. Riley Park Wading Pool
One of Calgary’s prettiest parks, just a hop skip and a jump away from Kensington, spend lackadaisical afternoon gently wading through the park’s relaxing waters.
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 9 am to 9 pm
Fee: Free!!
Address: 800 12 St. NW
Contact: 403-268-2300, calgary.ca
Hotel Pools
11. Hotel Arts Pool
Cool off in style at Calgary’s most popular pool. Parked beside the always on-trend Raw Bar, sip on a bevvy of your choice while reclining beside this Italian Bisazza glass-tile pool.
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 11 am to 10 pm
Fee: $5
Address: 119 12 Ave. SW
Contact: 403-266-4611, hotelarts.ca
Slip ‘n’ Slides
12. The Plunge at WinSport
If propelling down 810 feet of wet plastic sounds like a riveting way to kick of your summer, be sure not to miss the city’s only public slip ‘n’ slide at WinSport.
Hours: July 22 to 23, 29 to 30, Aug. 5 to 7, 12 to 13, 19 to 20, and 26 to 27: 11 am to 6 pm
Fee: $29 walk up, $25 online (for two hours)
Address: 88 Canada Olympic Rd. SW
Contact: 403-247-5452, winsport.ca
Out of Calgary Water Parks and Pools
Venturing out of the city for a mini road trip? Whether you make one of these water parks your end destination or the cherry-on-top of your summer excursion sundae, they are definitely worth leaving Calgary’s city limits.
13. Discovery Canyon Water Park
Located along the Red Deer River, this water park is definitely worth a day-trip out of the city. The area features natural river-fed bubbling pools, along with tube floating, a wading pool and an accessible beach and boardwalk.
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 9 am to 9 pm
Fee: Free!!
Address: 3800 River Bend Dr., Red Deer, Alta.
Contact: 403-343-6341 ext. 105, discoverycanyonpark.ca
14. Drumheller Aquaplex Outdoor Pool and Rotary Spray Water Park
Cool off and stretch from the road trip to Drumheller by splashing through the spray park, which is located in front of the world’s largest dinosaur —reason alone to visit the park. If you want to get more than your feet wet, visit the town’s Aquaplex Outdoor Pool.
Hours: Monday and Friday: 6:30 am to 9:15 pm
Tuesday to Thursday: 8:30 am to 9:15 pm
Saturday: 11:30 am to 8 pm
Sunday: 11:30 am to 5:30 pm
Fee: $9.50 (Adult Daily Rate), Splash Park is free
Address: 100 1st Ave. W., Drumheller, Alta.
Contact: 403-823-1322, dinosaurvalley.com
15. Sylvan Lake Aqua Splash
Spend hours exploring the facilities various amenities at the ultimate aquatic playground and sports park, and Alberta’s first open-water par. The playground includes a 15-foot tower, 15-foot climbing wall, 15-foot slide, oversized trampoline and trapeze swing.
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 11 am to 7:15 pm
Fee: $30 for two hours (Adult Pass)
Address: Bay #1, 5100 Lakeshore Dr., Sylvan Lake, Alta.
Contact: 587-377-4FUN (4386), sylvanlakeaquasplash.ca
