When we arrived in Medicine Hat with energized kids and several hours to kill before bedtime, we made the awesome discovery (as tourists) of the Medicine Hat Family Leisure Centre. This city-run recreation centre is located on 57 acres, and includes a massive indoor water play and pool facility, called Kinsmen Aquatic Park. Tip: it’s always a good idea to look up leisure centers or recreation centers when you enter a new town!
The Kinsmen Aquatic Park pool facility includes:
- a large free-form recreation pool filled with fun floating toys and a rafts that turns into a wave pool at set intervals
- a kiddie pool with floating Lego-style building blocks to play with
- a large hot tub
- a current stream area (where the water flows fast)
- a diving area with high and low dives
- a tube water slide several stories high
- a rope swing
- a lap pool
- a water polo pool
Seriously. All this! And we discovered it simply by checking the city parks and rec page when we arrived in town. Always check these types of pages for local fun (or ask a local)!
Also on-site are a hockey ring (indoor), fitness centre, outdoor soccer pitches, a large play structure, a lighted sports field, baseball diamonds, and a BMX park.
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Food services:
There is a snack bar with (less than healthy) snack and quick food options, plus vending machines and an ice cream bar cooler. Families could easily picnic on-site in nice weather.
Hours of operation:
General hours are found by calling the swimming hotline at 403-502-8571. Be sure to also check the Kinsmen page for event information. Some pools or activities may be closed for a tournament or meet. Generally, the facility stays open nightly to 8 pm or 9 pm.
Admission:
We paid $20 for a family admission (two adults and all kids in the same household). Adults not swimming do not pay admission to enter. Towels can be purchased for about $5, so remember to bring some, but if you forget, you’re covered (literally).
Directions:
We used Google Maps to find the centre, because streets change names frequently in Medicine Hat, and we are easily confused. However, the address listed is 2000 Division Ave N.
Read more about our road trip through the Wild West of Alberta!
