Sir Winston Churchill Aquatic & Recreation Centre

I have found the city of Calgary pools to be a very intense environment all the time … Most of the lifeguards never smile and are constantly barking orders to people… I heard one last week telling an elderly man he can’t swim in the pool?! She can walk and float … Wow. And in the city of Calgary ran pools you can not help your children to swim, or give any sort of instruction to them or they will get mad at you! I have been told many times to not help my Daughter swim and there is lessons for that sort of thing. Sounds like they just want your money and don’t wish for you to enjoy your time with your kids. I find it really sad and avoid public pools now because I honestly feel harassed every time I set foot into one plus the unhappy environment of the staff makes the whole situation uncomfortable.

Great staff working here, and friendly swim instructors. The pool is a bit cold, but I enjoy the hot tub and the dive tank as other options for swimming.

Friendly front staff, gym is OK upstairs (a bit cramped). There is a Zumba room on the upper level (closed in) and the class times are varied and at decent times.
Today, I went deep water running (I know, sounds weird but it was good, 1 hour) with a friend who asked me to go. It was my first time at this pool. The pool area was clean and the hot tub was a decent temperature. I liked how they had 2 pools, a smaller one for a class such as the one I was doing.
The instructor was OK, no complaints.
The change room — well, I guess staff cannot be cleaning ²⁴⁄₇ but I did not want to touch the floor with my bare feet whatsoever. Make sure you bring flip flops, you will be glad you did. You will step in hair, cold stagnant water on the floor and the odd band aid (ick, I saw at least 2 of them) If you do not have flips, some people even wore water shoes into the pool so that is an option. There are showers.
The rec center is a decent one. I am not sure about this area — make sure you leave nothing visible in your car in the lot, try to park in a ‘high visibility’ area and bring a lock for your locker inside the center. If you have 25cents you can use their locked lockers but if you never have change like me, you will be SOL. So, bring a lock, I was glad I did.
I will be back for the $ 6.75 deep water class and for that price, I will likely take advantage after the swim class in using the gym. Once you pay for the fee at the front desk, it is like a day pass — you can use whatever.
Cheaper to come here than say, Cardel Place as it is subsidized by the City.

Our kids have activities here so we have not had the opportunity to check out the entire space in this recreation centre. There is a smallish workout area upstairs by one of the activity rooms and it always appears busy. The whole layout of the upstairs is interesting since parents end up partially in the workout cardio area since it’s very cramped, while waiting for their children. Doesn’t affect the activity at all however.
I’ve noticed at other recreation centres you have to be buzzed in & most times show a receipt for the activity you are there for. Here you don’t. The very first class we had to show our receipt and ever since we’ve never been asked again but instead allowed to wander right in (passing the pool change rooms). If I were a member here, security would definitely be a concern for me.
The facility (washrooms, etc.) seems fairly clean and parking is plentiful. Northland Plaza is a mere 5 minutes down the street allowing for a quick bite, drink, coffee or whatever else you can find that interests you.
We were impressed with the activity our kidlets participated in and especially the Instructor and as such will most likely bring them back here to participate in additional activities.