Nanaimo Aquatic Centre this fall: swim times, prices and the last-entry rule

This autumn follows a major reopening

The City announced an October 5 reopening after work over the summer of 2026. Its announcement describes a new interactive accessible water feature, upgrades to heating and ventilation, Guest Services changes and public art. Laura Timmermans created a pool-area mural, while Snuneymuxw artist Noel Brown added salmon artwork in the lobby. That gives this autumn visit a particular context beyond the usual swim timetable.

The same announcement marks the centre’s 25 th year since opening in 2001. It lists a 50-metre pool, leisure pool, sauna, steam room and weight room. The older March 2023 Reddit question about the hot tub and steam room included a helpful correction: the main pool is 50 metres, not 100. Use the current City information for facilities, and the session timetable for what you may use during a particular visit.

The July 2024 crowding discussion adds another limit. People using Beban during an Aquatic Centre shutdown found it busier than they expected; other replies said it was usually quieter. That is a reason to consider maintenance and session patterns, not a rule that one pool is always crowded and the other always calm.

Source: City of Nanaimo: October5,2026 Aquatic Centre reopening and public art

Source: Reddit: Aquatic Centre facilities and length correction, March22,2023

Source: Reddit: Pool crowding during maintenance, July24,2024

The crowding complaint had more than one explanation

In a February 2025 discussion, a family described being turned away when the pool was full. Other readers complained about lesson places and public-swim limits. Replies disagreed about causes: some blamed management, others pointed to funding, staffing and lessons using space. A reader also said cleanliness had improved compared with an older experience.

These are dated personal accounts. They do not prove mismanagement or today’s condition. The practical lesson is that a facility can be busy, partly assigned to lessons or operating a particular session while the doors are open. A backup plan helps without blaming front-desk staff for a full pool.

Source: Nanaimo Reddit: pool access and crowding, February 16, 2025

Source: City of Nanaimo: current swim schedule page

Choose the session and the arrival time

The current schedule runs October 5, 2026 to April 3, 2027. Everyone Welcome is listed Sunday 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; weekdays 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 2:45 to 9 p.m.; Saturday noon to 9 p.m. Saturday 6 a.m. to noon is a leisure-pool session instead, with no lane swimming.

The main tank also closes for short bulkhead moves at specified times. Waves, slides and diving boards may pause during the day. Since June 2026, admission stops 30 minutes before evening closure. On a normal 9 p.m. close, that means arriving before 8:30 p.m., subject to session changes.

Visitor	Single entry, tax included
Age 2 and under	Free
Age 3 to 12	$3.95
Age 13 to 24	$5.55
Age 25 to 59	$7.40
Age 60 to 79	$5.55
Family	$14.85

Source: City of Nanaimo: October 2026 to April 2027 pool schedule

Source: City of Nanaimo: current swim schedule page

Bring enough adults for young children

Children six and under must be within arm’s reach of a guardian in the water. The guardian must be at least 16, with one adult for up to three young children. This is a supervision rule even if a child has some swimming experience.

Bring protective water-resistant swimwear for anyone not toilet trained. Public lifejackets are available, but they do not replace the adult-supervision rule. People aged 80 and over can get free entry with proof of Nanaimo residency and birth date.

Source: City of Nanaimo: October 2026 to April 2027 pool schedule

Source: City of Nanaimo: September 2026 recreation admission rates

Choose a family swim or a lane session

The weekday 2 to 2:45 p.m. maintenance break creates a real gap in a family’s afternoon. Saturday morning is a Leisure Pool Swim with no lane swimming; Everyone Welcome starts at noon. Match the session to the people going. A person planning lengths and a child wanting the leisure pool do not necessarily need the same timetable block.

For cost, two adults aged 25 to 59 and two children aged 3 to 12 would pay $22.70 as four single admissions. The published family rate is $14.85 for eligible family members, a $7.85 difference in that example. These calculations use the checked tax-included rates. Ask for the category that actually fits the family, and keep the supervision rule separate from the price.

Children six and under need a guardian aged 16 or over in the water within arm’s reach, with one adult for up to three children. A paid family admission does not relax that requirement. Agree on which adult is supervising before entering, and let that decide how many very young children the group can comfortably bring.

Source: City of Nanaimo: October 2026 to April 2027 pool schedule

Source: City of Nanaimo: September 2026 recreation admission rates

Source: City of Nanaimo: current swim schedule page