Frequently Asked Questions

We recommend staying in the sauna, steam room, or hot tub for no longer than 10 minutes at a time, with breaks in between sessions. If you have pre-existing health conditions, please check with your doctor before using these hot areas.

Generally, hats are not permitted in the hot areas. The only exception is a sauna hat made of wool, which is allowed (wool helps protect hair and scalp from the heat). Swim caps must also be removed before entering the hot areas, and lifejackets/PFDs are not allowed in these areas, as they act as insulators and can cause someone to overheat much more quickly.

Yes. All of our pools except Blue Mountain Wading Pool have accessibility features such as lifts and ramps:

• City Centre Aquatic Complex (CCAC): Accessibility ramp into the leisure pool; staircase for the main pool; transfer lift; water wheelchair. Also has power-operated entrance doors, accessible parking, and two accessible change rooms (one with a hydraulic adult change table and an accessible washroom).
• Mundy Park Pool: Wheelchair-accessible ramp for the main pool; zero-entry and transfer edge access for the leisure pool; fully wheelchair-accessible warming pool; five designated accessible parking stalls; universal washroom; accessible pay-station counter; two large accessible change/shower rooms (one with a full change bed and ceiling-mounted lift); accessible picnic table; Braille signage; fully accessible pool deck; automatic door openers on washrooms and change rooms.
• Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex (PSLC): Accessibility ramp into the lap and leisure pools; transfer lift; water wheelchair.
• Eagle Ridge Outdoor Pool: 10m accessibility ramp; transfer lift; water wheelchair.

Fitness centres at CCAC and PSLC also have adapted equipment (assisted dip/chin-up machine, NuStep recumbent trainer, upper body ergometer with removable chair, and gripping/hook aids for reduced hand function).

Yes, Sensory-Friendly Swims are offered at Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex, 8–9 a.m. on statutory holidays. Music and all water features are turned off for a quieter, all-inclusive leisure swim. Regular drop-in rates apply.

Yes. Participants who require direct support to safely take part can bring their own support person at no additional cost — just let the front desk or programming team know upon arrival. For ongoing or more involved support needs, you can complete a Recreation Support Request Form at least one month before the season's program starts; this creates a Recreation Support Plan that gives staff key information on how to support the participant (e.g., visual cards, noise-minimizing headphones, one-to-one support where available). For camps specifically, one-to-one support is provided by City Inclusion Support Leaders, subject to staffing availability. Contact the Community Access and Support team at 604-927-6076 or email the Community Access and Support team for more information.

Registration is done online through the Sign Me Up registration system (you'll need an online account). Swimming registration opens at 8:30 a.m. on a set date each season, with residents getting priority access a couple of days before non-residents — for example, for Summer 2026, swimming registration opened April 28 for residents and April 30 for non-residents. Programs become visible online at least four days before registration opens. You can also register in person at any Coquitlam recreation facility, community centre, or pavilion, or by phone at 604-927-4386.

Your child will need to take a swim assessment to determine the right starting level. No registration is required — simply go to the lifeguard office at any of our pools (except Blue Mountain Wading Pool) and request one; assessments are available upon request.

You can join the waitlist for that session, or wait until the next set of lessons becomes available and register then.

Per the City's Recreation Program Refund Policy: there's no fee if you cancel more than 5 days before the program starts (camps require 10 days' notice). A $5 cancellation fee applies if you cancel within 5 days of the start date, or after the program has already started — this would apply to illness-related cancellations as well. You can cancel online by logging into your account, or by phone at 604-927-4386 (weekdays 8:30 a.m.–6 p.m., weekends 10 a.m.–2 p.m., closed holidays).

No, we do not currently offer private lessons. To better serve the community, our instructors focus on teaching group lessons, which allows us to offer more spots for people to learn to swim.

Yes! We follow the Swim for Life® curriculum, which progresses through several stages:

• Parent & Tot (recommended ages 4–36 months) — structured in-water interaction between parent/caregiver and child, building water-positive attitudes and skills.
• Preschool (recommended ages 3–5 years) — builds comfort in the water and a foundation of water skills.
• Swimmer Levels 1–9 (recommended ages 6–12 years) — progressively builds swimming skills, technique, and endurance, including the Canadian Swim Patrol stream (Rookie, Ranger, Star) for more advanced young swimmers.
• Teen & Adult (ages 12–16 years) — for beginners or anyone looking to improve their strokes, water confidence, and technique.

A swim assessment helps determine the right starting level for your child if they haven't taken lessons before — see the question above on how to request one.

Yes, for children ages 6 months to 5 years, supervised by first-aid trained staff in a safe, engaging space. 

• Currently offered Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:15–8:15 p.m. 
• Pre-registration 48 hours in advance is recommended. 
• Parents/guardians must remain in the building while their child is in childminding.

How old does my child need to be to swim on their own (without an adult)?

The supervision ratio is 1 adult to a maximum of 3 children.

Children must be at least 42 inches tall to use the waterslide on their own. If the child is under 7 years old, a parent or guardian (16 years or older) must wait at the bottom of the slide flume. Parents are not permitted to go down the slide with their child.

No, only one person is allowed on the slide at a time.

Non-toilet-trained children must wear a swim diaper in the pool. If you forget to bring one, swim diapers are sold on-site at PSLC, CCAC, Eagle Ridge Outdoor Pool, and Mundy Park Pool.

Generally, yes. Small toys are permitted as long as they're clean. At the lifeguard's discretion, you may be asked to put a toy away if it disrupts pool operations or the enjoyment of other patrons.

Yes, mermaid tails are permitted, typically in the leisure pool (other areas are at the supervisor's discretion). First-time users will have their swim skills assessed before use, since orienting yourself in the water with a mermaid tail takes some adjustment.

Children under 16 must be directly supervised in the water by someone 16 or older, and use may be discontinued if pool volume makes supervision difficult.

Rules vary slightly by feature, but in general:

Rope Swing (CCAC-specific) 

• Must be supervised by staff
• Only one person at a time
• Users must be comfortable swimming in deep water
• Take-off must be from the platform and users must drop off on the outward motion
• Children under 7 must be directly supervised by someone 16 or older

WIBIT (inflatable obstacle course) 

• Up to two swimmers at a time
• Users must be comfortable swimming in deep water
• Children under 7 are not permitted (per manufacturer guidelines), and PFDs/lifejackets aren't allowed while on the WIBIT

Zip Line (CCAC specific)

• Supervised by staff
• One person at a time
• Users must be comfortable in deep water and tall enough to reach the marked height line on the platform
• Children under 7 must be supervised by someone 16 or older
• No swimming underneath the zip line while in use

Cargo Net (CCAC specific)

• Users must be comfortable swimming in deep water
• The feature supervisor will indicate how many users are permitted at once and when each turn begins

Mat Runner (Eagle Ridge Outdoor Pool and CCAC) 

• Only one person at a time
• Users must be comfortable in deep water and able to swim safely to the pool edge
• Children under 7 must be directly supervised by someone 16 or older
• Users must run away from the starting point and exit the area immediately after their turn

Climbing Wall (Mundy Park Pool) 

• For experienced swimmers comfortable in deep water
• One climber at a time (two permitted only with a panel between them)
• The landing area must stay clear
• Feet-first entry only (no diving or backflips)
• No climbing or hanging on the back of the wall
• No PFDs
• Maximum weight 300 lbs

These features run on a rotating schedule and are subject to lifeguard availability and supervision.

No, we do not offer adult-only or seniors-only swim times. Our facilities are designed to welcome all ages and abilities as part of the City's broader commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in recreation.

Please phone the facility directly to check, especially for last-minute or unexpected cancellations (such as due to instructor illness).

All of our aquafit classes are drop-in for the public. We ask that you seek support from the instructor for any further questions regarding the workout.

• Gentle Fit: A gentle, low-impact water exercise class focused on improving mobility, balance, flexibility, and overall fitness. Participants may choose their preferred water depth by changing their position in the pool, allowing them to customize the level of support and resistance.
• Low Impact Aquafit: An even gentler class than Gentle Fit, focused on mobility and supporting everyday function through slow, controlled water exercises that build strength while being easy on the joints. This class is well suited to those looking for a softer pace, recovering from injury, managing arthritis or other joint conditions, or simply wanting a low-key way to stay active and maintain range of motion.
• Deep Fit: A challenging deep-water workout that uses buoyancy belts and other aquatic fitness equipment to provide a full-body cardiovascular and strength-training experience without impact on the joints. While flotation equipment is provided, participants are strongly encouraged to be able to swim and remain comfortable in deep water independently, as the class takes place entirely in the deep end.
• Shallow Fit: An energetic shallow-water fitness class that combines cardio, strength, and flexibility exercises for a well-rounded workout. Held in chest-deep water where participants can comfortably stand, this class allows individuals to adjust the intensity to suit their fitness level while benefiting from the support and resistance of the water.
• Aquazumba: A fun, high-energy water fitness class that blends the rhythms and moves of Zumba with the resistance of the water. Held in chest-deep water where participants can stand comfortably, this dance-inspired workout improves cardiovascular fitness, coordination, and muscle tone while being easy on the joints.

The CAN program at CCAC is a preschool swim class for participants aged 3–5, run in partnership with Canucks Autism Network. 

Sessions run for 30 minutes each, with 5 sessions back-to-back from 8–10:30 a.m. Each participant has a 1:1 support ratio - one support worker assigned to them throughout their sessions - along with a coach who leads the swimming and an onsite supervisor overseeing the program.

To participate, the participant must:

• Be under 13 years of age
• Have an official autism diagnosis
• Create a profile through the CAN website
• Sign up on specific registration days, which depend on the season (fall/winter/spring) and are communicated to families through a CAN newsletter/email

For more information, interested families can visit the CAN website or email CAN.

To book a lane, email bookings.

Rooms (such as meeting rooms and fitness studios at CCAC and PSLC) are available for rent for meetings, banquets, and special events, with rates depending on duration and event type. To request a booking, complete the online Facility Room Request Form, or email Rental Bookings or 604-927-6016.

We don't offer exclusive pool rentals for birthday parties. However, you can rent a room at the facility for cake, food, and presents, and pay regular pool admission for the swimming portion of your party.

No, barbecues are not permitted at our pools.

The grass area can be used, but staking (e.g., for tents or canopies), propane BBQs and open fires are not permitted.

Pre-registration for admission is available 48 hours in advance, but only on weekends. There is no pre-registration on weekdays. Contact the Registration Line at 604-927-4386 to book, or book online. Note that the grass area itself cannot be reserved or booked. 

No, the red chairs must stay in place and cannot be moved.