With having two months of nice summer weather in Ottawa, we are great at booking the family calendar with activities, gatherings, and travel to make the most of each day. This also means booking activities that require you to sign up for months at a time may not be ideal. No need to worry! Try one of the many City of Ottawa Parks and Recreation Drop-In Classes. My personal favourite: badminton! The best part is the incredibly reasonable prices for the drop-in classes starting at $3/person (or even better yet FREE, for children under 2 for the outdoor pools).
Check out the full drop-in class schedule here.
Outdoor Pools
Reservations for swimming sessions at outdoor pools can be booked online.
To reserve a swim spot online, select one of the following facilities. Proceed by clicking on the reservation button at the bottom of the schedule tab.
- Bearbrook Outdoor Pool
- Beaverbrook Outdoor Pool - Kanata
- Corkstown Outdoor Pool
- Crestview Outdoor Pool
- Entrance Outdoor Pool
- General Burns Outdoor Pool
- Genest Outdoor Pool
- Glen Cairn Outdoor Pool
- Katimavik Outdoor Pool
Skating
- Adult skating: Leisure session for adults 18 years and older.
- Family skating: Leisure session for parents, seniors and children. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years and older. Children 10 years and under are required to wear a CSA-certified hockey helmet. We recommend that all skaters (especially new skaters) wear a CSA-certified hockey helmet. Bicycle, ski and snow sport helmets are not permitted.
- Public skating: a leisure skating session for people of all ages. All children 10 years of age and under must have a parent/guardian with them for the duration of the skate. Children 10 years and under are required to wear a CSA-certified hockey helmet. We recommend that all skaters (especially new skaters) wear a CSA-certified hockey helmet. Bicycle, ski and snow sport helmets are not permitted.
- Skating 50+: Leisure session for adults 50 years and older.
Swimming
- Lane swim: Continuous lane swim workout. Children age eight to 10 must pass the facility's swim test. Only essential equipment will be provided for use on deck, you are welcome to bring your own equipment. Maximum of 2 people per reservation.
- Preschool swim: An unstructured swim time with limited pool space allowing for playtime for preschool-aged children and their parents, ages 5 and under. Children 5 years of age and under: maximum 2 children per responsible person 14 years of age and older.
- Public swim: An unstructured swim time open to all ages. Non-swimmers aged 10 and under, and all children aged 7 and under must be accompanied by a participating adult or youth, at least 14 years of age, responsible for the direct supervision of the child and actively swimming within arms reach at all times. Children aged 8, 9 and 10 must be tested to demonstrate their ability to swim 25 metres uninterrupted in order to be permitted to swim unaccompanied. Only essential equipment will be provided for use on deck. You are welcome to bring your own equipment. Maximum of 6 people per reservation.
- Wave swim: A swim with the waves activated at a wave pool open to all ages. Non-swimmers aged 10 and under, and all children aged 7 and under must be accompanied by a participating adult or youth, at least 14 years of age, responsible for the direct supervision of the child and actively swimming within arms reach at all times. Children 5 years of age and under: maximum 2 children per responsible person 14 years of age and older. Children aged 8, 9 and 10 must be tested to demonstrate their ability to swim 25M uninterrupted in order to be permitted to swim unaccompanied.
- Women’s only – Family swim: An unstructured swim designed for females-only and their children, boys over the age of 6 are not permitted. Adult females do not have to bring a child to these swims. Children 5 years of age and under: maximum 2 children per responsible person 14 years of age and older.
- Women’s only swim: Open to all women and girls, 14 years of age and older.
- 50+ swim: Lap swimming for adults aged 50 plus.
Inclusive recreation swim programs
- Swim for persons with a disability: Designated swim for youth and adult participants with a long-term disability. Swim is free of charge for qualifying participants upon completion of a participant information form. If assistance is required in the change room, participants must bring an attendant.
- Wellness – Aqua therapy: A wellness program ideal for individuals living with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, osteoporosis and individuals recovering from injury or surgery.
- Wellness – Chronic pain: A wellness program ideal for individuals living with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, osteoporosis and individuals recovering from injury or surgery.
Aqua fitness
- Aqua general deep: Offered in the deep end, the general aqua fitness class is designed as a medium intensity total body workout, balance of cardio and muscular strength and endurance. A great introduction program offering easy choreography and options to modify the intensity.
- Aqua general shallow: Offered in the shallow end, the general aqua fitness class is designed as a medium intensity total body workout, balance of cardio and muscular strength and endurance. A great introduction program offering easy choreography and options to modify the intensity.
- Aqua lite main pool: Offered in the main pool, the class is a low impact total body workout that offers a blend of cardio as well as muscular strength and endurance training combined with specific attention to core stabilization and relaxation techniques.
- Aqua lite warm pool: Offered in the warm pool, the class is a low impact total body workout that offers a blend of cardio as well as muscular strength and endurance training combined with specific attention to core stabilization and relaxation techniques.
- Aqua - turbo: A high intensity class! Provides a definite challenge for seasoned and new participants alike.
Fitness activities and weight and cardio rooms
Weight and cardio rooms
Sessions can now be booked for either 60 minutes or 90 minutes. Clients are welcome to continue their workout after their booked session providing capacity limits have not been reached. Weight rooms have a mixture of free weights and weight machines. Cardio machines include treadmills, elliptical machines, stair climbers and stationary bicycles that are programmable for an exercise routine.
Fitness activities
(including squash and racquetball)
- 20/20/20: 20 minutes of high and/or controlled impact, 20 minutes of step, 20 minutes of strength and stretch
- Barrefit®: Combining ballet barre exercises with strength training, core conditioning and muscular endurance mat work to develop a sculpted physique. Dance experience is not necessary.
- Bootcamp: Intense class builds strength, speed and power through basic cardio training and muscle conditioning. Push to your limit.
- Cardio: A choreographed cardio class with high or controlled impact.
- Cardio and strength: Choreographed controlled impact cardio class designed to work different muscle groups with various movements and intensities. Various resistance-based equipment or body weight exercises will be used to improve strength and balance.
- Dance: Get fit, let loose and have fun! Classes include cardiovascular exercise choreographed to various music genres. All levels welcome! Styles include: Belly dancing, Zumba®, The Party and more!
- Drums Alive®: Traditional aerobic exercise with the pulsating rhythms of drumming on a stability ball.
- Indoor cycling: Focus on endurance, strength, intervals, high intensity and recovery. Excellent cardiovascular exercise. Resistance is tailored to participants' ability.
- HIIT®: High-intensity class that builds strength, speed and power through various cardio training and muscle conditioning techniques.
- LaBarre®: A dance-inspired workout like no other! Combining balance, agility, resistance, and eloquence into a challenging full body workout, LeBarre™ will make sure no muscle goes untouched. No dance experience or pink tights required!
- Pilates: Introduction to foundational moves that develop core strength, proper posture, pelvic and hip stability (to combat low back pain), while enhancing muscular strength and endurance.
- Racquetball: Reserve one court (for use by a maximum of 2 people). Bring your own racquet, ball and protective eyewear.
- Sport conditioning: Athletic, sports-based skills and drills incorporating, speed, agility, plyometrics and coordinated movement patterns.
- Squash: Reserve one court (for use by a maximum of 2 people). Bring your own racquet, ball and protective eyewear.
- Strength: Combine strength training movements with flexibility to improve muscular strength, posture, balance and mobility. Various resistance-based equipment or body weight exercises will be used.
- TMC: Total muscle conditioning using your body weight and a variety of equipment such as stability balls, resistance tubes, and hand weights.
- TRX®: TRX training uses your body weight and the TRX suspension system to create dynamic exercises for every muscle. Develop strength, balance, flexibility and core stability simultaneously, all at the intensity you choose.
- Yoga: The combined focus on mindfulness, breathing and physical postures, practiced regularly, increases strength, flexibility, posture and balance as well as decreasing stress. Please note that fans will not be available.
- Zumba®: Inspired by Latin and International dance, this is a great cardio class with focus on fun and sweating.
- Zumba® Gold: Modified moves and pacing to suit the needs of the active older adult, or those just starting a journey to a fit and healthy life. Zesty Latin music, salsa, merengue, cumbia and reggaeton, with easy-to-follow moves, in a invigorating, party atmosphere.
Bring your own mat (if required), towel and filled water bottle to the facility. Keep all personal belongings in your designated workout space.
Participants must fill room from back to front and exit via the designated exit route. Please follow floor markings, maps or staff instruction to queue safely before class. Follow staff instruction to enter and exit your designated workout space with assigned equipment.
Sports
Children: For children between the ages of 6 to 12
Youth: For youth between the ages of 13 and 18 years
Adult: For adults 18 and older
50+: For adults 50 and older
- Badminton and table tennis: The reservation links allow you to reserve up to 2 places. Bring your own paddle. Shared courts are subject to availability. Players should not switch sides during match.
- Basketball practice: The reservation links allow you to reserve one ball and hoop. Ball will be sanitized regularly during play.
- Floor curling: Introduction to the sport of curling - without ice. Learn the basics and develop skills through game play.
- Kindergym: Play, run, climb and jump to burn some energy. Children ages 0 to 5 must be supervised by a caregiver while they have free play with a variety of sports equipment and toys in our gymnasium.
- Open gym: See sport specific details. Players are to remain in the same team. Ball will be sanitized regularly during play.
- Pickleball: All players welcome. Bring your own paddle. Shared courts are subject to availability.
- Pickleball intermediate: For those with intermediate experience or greater. Bring your own paddle. Shared courts are subject to availability.
- Skateboarding - indoor: Bring your skateboard for practice indoors. Helmets are strongly recommended for all participants; mandatory for participants 10 years and younger.
- Roller-skating: Bring your own quad or inline skates. Helmets are required for skaters 10 years old and younger.
- Soccer practice: One net, one playing area and one ball per cohort. Ball will be sanitized regularly during play.
- Track walking: Maintain 2-metre physical distancing.
Older adult drop-ins
- Billiards: Sign-up for this strategic game on our billiard-snooker table. Please bring your own cue, balls will be provided.
- Book club: Do you enjoy reading and discussing books with others - then come join our monthly club.
- Carpet bowling: Take the outdoor game, indoors and enjoy this sport.
- Canasta: A popular family favourite card game.
- Contract Bridge: Come and enjoy playing this strategic card game while keeping score.
- Craft club: Our drop-in activity provides you an opportunity to socialize while working on your own craft project. Bring your own supplies.
- Cribbage: Fun and challenging card game for all.
- Discussion group: enjoy a wide variety of topics brought forward by participants, gaining different points of view.
- Dominoes: a great game to enjoy and meet others.
- Duplicate Bridge: Play duplicate-style bridge in a relaxed, non-competitive setting. This event is non-ACBL sanctioned and great for those new to Duplicate Bridge.
- Euchre: Enjoy this fun card game, and meet new friends.
- Fun bridge: meet new friends while enjoying this strategic card game.
- Instructional Bridge (Grant Standards): enjoy learning this strategic card game with our volunteer instructors. Learn as you play!
- Learning / Lecture series: We will offer a variety of topics through presenters, online video or open discussion. Please call the centre you wish to attend for topic details.
- Mah Jong: Enjoy this ancient game a bit like rummy, using tiles of wind, flowers, seasons and dragons, adding to the fun and challenge.
- Meditation: Meditation is a simple practice available to all, which can reduce stress, increase calmness and clarity and promote happiness.
- Movies: Looking to enjoy the latest movies? Sign up today. Please note that our movies are subject to availability and shown in Closed Captioning (CC).
- Scrabble: Enjoy the company of others and exercise your brain with this ever-popular game.
- Short mat bowling: played on a mat made of foam and is 40 to 45 feet long with a width of 6 feet. A wooden block sits in the centre of the mat. Players must avoid their bowl contacting the block on their way down the mat. The 'jack' is the target that sits near the end of the mat. All levels are welcome!
- Shuffleboard: Bring a friend and get into the “shuffle!” this disc type game is lots of fun and easy to learn.
- Sixty-Six: is a trick-taking game is which each trick consists of two cards.
- Teddy bear club: Our drop-in activity provides you an opportunity to socialize while working on your own craft project. Bring your own sewing supplies.
- Walking club: Join our friendly walking group for low-impact exercise. Good for your bones, tones your bones, tones your body and improves your overall fitness. Walking may take place indoors or out.
- 500 Cards: a trick-playing game mixing elements of euchre and bridge.
