Edmonton is a true haven for families seeking water recreation, offering an impressive variety of water parks and pools accessible year-round. From the world's largest indoor water park to numerous public recreation centers with modern water attractions, the city provides countless opportunities for family swimming, water games, and swimming lessons. Whether parents are looking for a quiet place to teach their toddlers to swim or want their children to enjoy thrilling water slides and wave pools, Edmonton has everything you need to create unforgettable memories of water adventures.
World Waterpark – A Legendary Indoor Water Adventure
World Waterpark at West Edmonton Mall is the city's most famous and largest water attraction, known worldwide as one of the largest indoor water parks in North America. Opened to the public in 1986, this tropical paradise is located inside the West Edmonton Mall and covers more than five acres. The water park can accommodate up to 5,000 visitors at a time and maintains a constant comfortable air temperature of 31°C throughout the year, making it the perfect place for water fun even on the coldest winter days in Alberta.
The biggest attraction at World Waterpark is its legendary wave pool, which holds 12.5 million liters of water and is recognized as the largest indoor wave pool in the world. Waves can reach heights of up to five feet, creating a true surfing experience in a safe and controlled environment. For families with children who love waves but are not yet ready for deep water, the pool has a beach area with a gradual slope, allowing younger children to enjoy the waves in shallow water under the supervision of their parents.
The water park offers more than 17 different water slides and water attractions for different age groups and levels of daring. For adrenaline junkies, there is the thrilling Aqualoop, an extreme water slide that includes a full 58-foot loop where visitors experience a feeling of weightlessness before plunging into the water. Speed Slides and Sky Screamer Extreme offer intense descents for older children and teenagers looking for maximum thrills. For younger family members and those who prefer more relaxed attractions, there is Tropical Typhoon, a family slide where several people can slide down together on large inflatable tubes.
One of the most popular attractions for teenagers and adults is FlowRider Double, a surfing simulator that creates a constant wave on which you can learn to surf or bodyboard. This attraction offers a unique experience for those who want to try something new and develop new skills. The water park also offers a Surf Club for those who are seriously interested in developing their surfing skills throughout the year.
For the youngest members of the family, World Water Park has special areas for toddlers with shallow pools, small water slides, and interactive water toys. The park also offers a Toddler Time program on certain days, when admission includes one toddler and one accompanying adult at a special price, making the visit more affordable for young families. Professional instructors conduct swimming lessons for all age groups, from infants to adults, in small classes, allowing each child to receive individual attention.
World Water Park also offers private cabanas for rent, providing families with their own space to relax between water adventures. These cabanas are equipped with comfortable seating, tables, and lockers for storing belongings. There are several food outlets in the park where drinks and snacks can be purchased, although visitors are not allowed to bring their own food into the water zone. The park offers special discount days on certain weekdays when admission tickets are available at a lower price, making a visit more affordable for families on a budget.
Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre – the most modern water complex
Booster Juice Recreation Centre in Terwillegar (formerly known as Terwillegar Community Recreation Centre), located at 2051 Leger Road NW, is one of the most modern and impressive recreation centers in the city. Opened in 2011, this huge complex offers exceptional water attractions for families of all sizes and interests. The centre is open Monday to Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sunday from 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., providing a flexible schedule for families with different schedules.
The biggest draw of the Terdillegar Center is its 50-meter saltwater pool with eight lanes, one of the few saltwater pools in the region. The use of salt water instead of traditional chlorine makes swimming more comfortable for the skin and eyes, especially for young children with sensitive skin. The pool is also equipped with one- and three-meter diving boards, as well as a five-meter diving tower, making it a popular spot for children who want to learn how to dive or improve their skills.
For family fun, the center offers a recreational saltwater wave pool with a variety of water attractions. The wave pool creates gentle waves that are ideal for younger children who want to experience waves without the intensity of large waves. The pool also has a lazy river—a favorite attraction for the whole family, where visitors can float on inflatable tubes and enjoy a slow, smooth ride around the pool. Water spray attractions add an extra element of fun for children who love to get sprayed with water.
The center also has an exciting water slide that is popular with children of all ages. The slide is high enough to be thrilling but safe for children who are ready for a more intense experience. For the youngest members of the family, there is a special toddler pool with a gentle ramp entrance, allowing parents to easily enter and exit the water with their children. The water temperature in the toddler pool is kept slightly warmer than in the other pools, making it comfortable for babies and toddlers.
For relaxation after active swimming, the center offers a whirlpool (jacuzzi) for 30 people and a steam room for 18 people. These amenities are popular with parents who want to relax while their children continue to play in the water under supervision. The changing rooms are large and modern, with accessible areas for families with children and people with disabilities.
In addition to the water attractions, the Terdillegar Center offers an indoor playground in the children's wing, making it the perfect place to spend the whole day with your family. Parents can switch between swimming and playing on the playground, providing variety for the children. The center also has a childcare service, allowing parents to visit the fitness center or participate in classes while their children are under professional supervision.
Members of local community leagues can enjoy free swimming on Saturdays from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. upon presentation of their community league membership card. This is a great opportunity for families to save money while enjoying high-quality water attractions. The center also offers a variety of aqua fitness classes and swimming lessons for all ages.
Kinsmen Sports Centre – Historic Olympic-Class Pool
Located at 9100 Walterdale Hill NW, the Kinsmen Sports Centre is one of the oldest and most respected aquatic centres in the city. Built for the 1983 Commonwealth Games, this complex offers Olympic-sized pools and numerous amenities for families. The center is open Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturdays from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Sundays from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
The center's main attraction is its 50-meter Olympic-sized pool with eight lanes, which is used for competitions and training by high-level athletes. Although this pool is often reserved for competitions and training programs, it is available for public swimming during certain hours. The center also has a 25-meter pool for more leisurely swimming and training. For divers, there is a special jumping tank with diving boards of various heights, including one- and three-meter boards. Unfortunately, the public cannot use the diving boards on weekdays due to liability issues, but they are available on certain other days.
For families with young children, Kinsmen offers a warm teaching pool with a higher water temperature, ideal for toddlers and children who are just learning to swim. This pool is shallow and has easy access, making it safe for the youngest swimmers. Parents often praise the temperature of the pool and the facility, noting that children do not get cold, as is the case in some other pools. The pool has toys for children to use, which help them enjoy the water and develop confidence.
In the summer, families can enjoy the Queen Elizabeth Outdoor Pool and the Kinsmen Splash Zone, located right next to the center. The outdoor pool has a zero-depth entry, ideal for small children, as well as one- and three-meter diving boards for older children. The splash zone is a favorite spot for children who want to cool off on hot summer days. The pool is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. during the summer season, which typically runs from early June to mid-October.
The area around the Kinsmen Sports Centre is part of Kinsmen Park, a large recreational area in the river valley. Families can combine a visit to the pool with a visit to the Grizzly Bear Lodge playground, one of the largest and best playgrounds in the city. The park also has sports fields, picnic areas, walking trails, and the John Walter Museum, making it an ideal place to spend the whole day with the family. In the summer, families can also visit Kinsmen Peach and Putt Miniature Golf for additional entertainment.
Kinsmen Sports Centre has a large spectator area where parents can watch their children during swimming lessons or competitions. The centre also offers Kids Day childcare services for children from infants to 11 years old for a maximum of 2.5 hours, allowing parents to enjoy the centre's other amenities. The changing rooms are huge and modern, providing plenty of space for families with children.
Commonwealth Community Recreation Center – Affordable Family Swimming
The Commonwealth Community Recreation Center, located at 11000 Stadium Road, is a modern recreation center that opened in 2015 as an extension of the existing Commonwealth Stadium. The center is open Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., offering a convenient schedule for family visits. The center is especially popular with families due to its kid-friendly amenities and central location in the city center.
The aquatic center has a 25-meter saltwater pool with four lanes, ideal for training swims and swimming lessons. The water temperature is maintained at approximately 28°C, making swimming comfortable for long sessions. For family fun, the center offers a recreational saltwater pool with water attractions and a water slide, which is a favorite among children. The recreational pool has a zero-depth beach entry, allowing toddlers and young children to easily enter the water under parental supervision.
The center has a special shallow area for small children with water toys and a small slide, which is ideal for toddlers. Water spray attractions and an interactive water play structure keep children busy for hours. For relaxation after swimming, there is a saltwater whirlpool (temperature around 40°C) and a steam room, which are favorite amenities for parents.
The Commonwealth Center is known for its accessibility and friendly atmosphere for families with children of all ages. The center has universal changing rooms/family rooms that provide privacy and convenience for families with small children or for parents with children of the opposite sex. The changing rooms are well equipped with showers, lockers, and changing areas.
The centre offers a variety of swimming programs for children, including swimming lessons for infants, toddlers, and older children. Professional instructors work in small groups, providing individual attention to each child. The centre also offers aqua fitness classes for parents, including classes with infants, where parents can exercise with their little ones.
Edmonton's outdoor pools – summer water fun
The City of Edmonton operates several outdoor pools that are open during the summer season, typically from late May or early June to mid-October, depending on weather conditions. These pools offer an affordable way for families to enjoy outdoor water recreation during the warmer months. Admission to the city's outdoor pools is as follows: children under 2 years old – free, children 3–6 years old – $6, youth and seniors – $7.50, adults – $9, family ticket (up to 7 people) – $24. Admission is free for city recreation members and children with summer passes.
Fred Brodstock Outdoor Pool, located at 15720 105 Avenue, opened on June 7, 2025, and offers a family-friendly atmosphere with accessible entry, changing rooms, and restrooms. The pool has a zero-depth entry into the children's pool, making it ideal for toddlers. For older children, there is a one-meter and three-meter diving board. The pool also has a wading pool for toddlers with a splash zone, picnic tables, a concession area, and an onshore basketball hoop. The sun deck offers plenty of space for parents to relax while their children play.
Wigquentowin Outdoor Pool (formerly known as Oliver Pool), located at 10315 119 Street in the city center, opened on May 17, 2025, and is one of the first pools to open each season. The pool has a deep water slide that is a favorite among older children and teenagers. The pool is equipped with free lockers for wallets and paid lockers for storing belongings, picnic tables, a sun deck, and a concession stand on site. There is a playground next to the pool, allowing families to combine swimming with playing on the playground.
Borden Park Natural Pool, located at 7615 Borden Park Road, is unique among city pools due to its natural water purification concept without the use of chemicals. The pool opened on June 21, 2025, and offers an alternative to chemically treated pools. The natural pool uses a biological filtration system with plants and sand filters to purify the water, making swimming more environmentally friendly and gentle on the skin. The pool is surrounded by sand and has plenty of space for relaxing with umbrellas, creating a beach resort atmosphere.
The City of Edmonton's summer children's and youth summer pass offers unlimited access to recreation centers, outdoor pools, gyms, and drop-in activities for only $25 per month for children ages 2–12 and $35 per month for youth ages 13–17. Passes can be purchased in person or online from June 10 to August 31, making them a great choice for families who plan to visit pools frequently throughout the summer.
Other aquatic centers in the Edmonton area
Emerald Hills Leisure Centre in Sherwood Park is a modern and bright family pool with zero-depth entry, interactive water toys, and a small slide, ideal for little swimmers. The center also has a warm whirlpool and plenty of space for parents to swim and play with their children.
Servus Credit Union Place in St. Albert offers a leisure pool that is a hit with families thanks to its lazy river, gentle spray zone, and beach entry. Younger children can safely splash around in the shallow areas or explore the interactive play structure, while older siblings enjoy the larger slides, making the center great for families with children of all ages.
Leduc Recreation Center in Leduc has a water complex ideal for family fun, with a warm leisure pool with a gradual slope, water spray attractions, and a mini slide for younger children. Parents love the clean, family-friendly atmosphere and the opportunity to combine swimming with a visit to the nearby indoor playground.
Jamie Platz Family YMCA, located in west Edmonton, has been operating since 1990 and offers two pools: a main pool for leisure swimming or serious training and a smaller teaching pool for developing swimming skills. The YMCA also offers many family areas and activities, including a gym and aqua fitness classes for groups or couples, including infants.
Conclusion
Edmonton is truly a paradise for families looking for water fun, offering an incredible selection from the huge World Waterpark to numerous public recreation centers with modern water attractions and outdoor pools for summer fun. Whether parents are looking for a place to teach their toddlers to swim or want their children to enjoy thrilling water slides and wave pools, the city has everything needed to create unforgettable water adventures. With affordable prices, convenient locations throughout the city, and numerous programs for children of all ages, Edmonton makes water recreation accessible to all families throughout the year.