4.09.2015

Free Swimming at Greater Vancouver Recreation Centres

Growing up in an immigrant family, we were all about free or inexpensive. My family knew how to stretch a penny, let alone a dollar. Free was the golden word, especially when it came to family entertainment.


If you live in Greater Vancouver, you will be happy to know that Westminster Savings sponsors free public swims at select recreation centres (see the list below). In addition, the City of Vancouver sponsors a free public swim twice a week at Britannia Pool in East Vancouver. Until April 26, 2015, Britannia offers free swimming between 3pm to 4:55pm every Tuesday and Thursday.

Yes, you read that correctly. Free swimming!

Last Sunday, my husband suggested checking out the free public swim at Eileen Dailly Pool. Unfortunately, the free swim conflicted with the little man's need to nap after having too much fun at Burnaby Central Railway (read about our visit here).

From the viewing area, the pool looked busy but not overly packed. We will have to try again as this looks like it would be a great family activity especially if you have young children.

UPDATE: August 2, 2015
We went to the free swim hosted by Westminster Savings on Sunday, August 2nd (aka the first Sunday of the month). Since the free swim was at 12:30, we arrived 15 minutes prior and lined up at Eileen Dailly. We could tell this was a popular event by the crowds who were scattered throughout the viewing area.

Here are some tips for those of you wanting to visit:
  1. Arrive early (at least 15 minutes).
  2. Bring a quarter to rent a locker for the locker room. There are a limited number of large lockers for rent; great for those with little ones.
  3. Supervise your children. With the number of people who attend these free swims, you want to ensure their safety and the safety of others.
  4. Be considerate of others. The showers in each of the washrooms are for you to quickly rinse off; not to spend 15 minutes lathering up. So please, be quick with it and do your full hair conditioning at home.
  5. Lastly, thank Westminster Savings for their generosity! You can follow Westminster Savings on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram. Even better, go thank them in person at any one of their fourteen branches in the lower mainland.


**Please note that the free swims are subject to change. Please call before you go and arrive early.**

Free Swimming in Greater Vancouver


Location Start End Location Address Phone When

Burnaby 12:30pm 2:30pm Eileen Dailly Leisure Pool 240 Willingdon Ave, Burnaby 604-298-7946 First Sunday of every month
Burnaby 7:00pm 9:00pm Bonsor Recreation Complex 6550 Bonsor Avenue, Burnaby 604-297-4597 First Wednesday of every month
Coquitlam 7:00pm 9:00pm Poirier Sports & Leisure Complex 633 Poirier Street, Coquitlam 604-927-6027 First Sunday of every month
Coquitlam 7:00pm 9:00pm City Centre Aquatic Complex 1210 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam 604-927-6999 Third Friday of every month
Langley 2:00pm 4:00pm WC Blair Recreation Centre 22200 Fraser Highway, Langley 604-533-6170 Second Sunday of every month
Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows 2:00pm 3:30pm Maple Ridge Leisure Centre 11925 Haney Place, Maple Ridge 604-467-7322 Last Saturday of each month
New Westminster 2:30pm 4:30pm Canada Games Pool 65 East 6th Avenue,New Westminster 604-526-4281 First Wednesday of every month
Port Coquitlam 1:00pm 3:00pm Hyde Creek Recreation Centre 1379 Laurier Ave, Port Coquitlam 604-927-7946 First Sunday of every month
Surrey 2:00pm 5:00pm North Surrey Recreation Centre 10275 City Parkway, Surrey 604-502-6300 Last Saturday of each month
Surrey 6:00pm 8:00pm Newton Recreation Centre 13730 72 Avenue, Surrey 604-501-5540 Second Sunday of each month
Surrey 3:00pm 5:00pm Surrey Sport & Leisure Complex 16555 Fraser Hwy, Surrey 604-501-5881 Third Sunday of each month
Surrey 1:00pm 4:00pm South Surrey Indoor Pool 14655 17 Avenue, Surrey 604-502-6220 First Saturday of each month
Vancouver 3:00pm 4:55pm Britannia Pool 1661 Napier St 604-718-5800 Tuesdays and Thursdays* until April 26, 2015

Please let me know via the comments form below if there are more recreation centres in Greater Vancouver that offer free swims! :)

Source: Westminster Savings and City of Vancouver

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