Nicola Valley Aquatic Centre
General Info
The Nicola Valley Aquatic Centre is located next to the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena and a few minutes walk from the Merritt Civic Centre. The Facility is also fully accessible and staff welcome all to visit.
Features
- 6 lanes 25 metre Main Pool
- Rope Swing
- Lazy River & Vortex
- Leisure Pool
- Sauna
- Hot Tubs (2)
- Tot’s Pool & Water Sprays
- Viewing Deck
- Fully Equipped Fitness Room
Regular Hours
Mon-Fri | 6am-7:30pm
Sat | 10am-5pm
Sun | 12pm-4pm
Holiday Schedule
December 9: Closes at 4PM
December 19 – 23: Regular hours
December 24: 9am – 4:30pm
December 25: Closed
December 26: Closed
December 27 – 31: 9am – 4:30pm
January 1: Closed
January 2: 9am – 4:30pm
January 3: Return regular hours
CONTACT
PO Box 189, 2040 Mamette Avenue
Merritt BC V1K 1B8
(250) 378-6662 Phone
(250) 378-3504 Fax
nvac@merritt.ca
Admission Fees
Category |
Drop-In |
10 Punch Card |
Monthly |
6 Month |
Annual |
| Tot (0-2 years) |
Free |
n/a | n/a | n/a |
n/a |
| Child (3-12 years) |
$2.40 |
$21.60 | $25.90 | $142.50 |
$259.20 |
| Youth (13-18 years) |
$3.00 |
$27.00 | $32.40 | $178.20 |
$324.00 |
| Adult (19-59 years) |
$4.00 |
$36.00 | $43.20 | $237.60 |
$432.00 |
| Senior (60+) |
$3.00 |
$27.00 | $32.40 | $178.20 |
$324.00 |
| Student |
$3.20 |
$28.80 | $34.60 | $190.10 |
$345.00 |
| Fitness Room |
$3.00 |
$27.00 | $32.40 | $178.20 |
$324.00 |
| Family First Person |
$3.00 |
n/a | n/a | n/a |
n/a |
| Family Additional |
$2.20 |
n/a | n/a | n/a |
n/a |
|
Family Pass |
n/a | n/a | $140.00 | $570.00 |
$900.00 |
*Please note punch cards expire 1 year after the date of purchase.
Aquatic Fitness Programs
AQUAFIT
This class combines running, interval training and a variety of exercises designed to decrease body fat, increase cardiovascular efficiency, improve strength, and help people get into a routine of regular exercise.
LOCATION: Main Pool
FEE: Regular Admission
*No registration needed. Drop-in welcome.
Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays
11:00am – 11:45am
Tuesdays
5:45pm – 6:30pm
STRETCH & STABILITY
Want to increase your muscular strength, balance, stretch and flexibility? This class will build on maintaining proper form by keeping a well-aligned spine and stable core.
LOCATION: Leisure Pool
FEE: Regular admission
*No registration needed. Drop-in welcome.
Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays
10:00am – 10:45am
Tuesdays & Thursdays
7:00am – 7:45am
AQUA BOARD
Challenge your balance to the core focusing on your strength and cardio on an anchored floatation mat.
LOCATION: Main Pool
FEE: $50 for 5 sessions
*Minimum 4, Maximum 6 participants
REGISTER: merritt.ca/registration
Thursdays 8:00 – 8:30am
Jan 12 – Feb 9
Feb 16 – Mar 16
Fridays 12:00 – 12:30pm
Jan 13 – Feb 10
Feb 17 – Mar 17
Parent & Tot Lessons
Recommended age: 4 months to 3 years old. The Lifesaving Society Parent & Tot lessons structure in-water interaction between parent and child to stress the importance of play in developing water-positive attitudes and skills. Activities and progressions are based on child development allowing parents to register in the level appropriate for their child’s age: 4-12 months, 12-24 months, or 2-3 years.
PARENT & TOT: JELLYFISH (4-12 Months)
Recommended age: 4-12 months. Parent & Tot 1 provides an orientation to water for infants and their parent/caregiver. Parents/caregivers will learn how to swim safely with their infant in the pool through instruction of holds and supports. Infants will be introduced to getting their face wet, blowing bubbles and floating with the help of their caregiver.
Tuesday / Thursdays
10:00 – 10:30 am
PARENT & TOT: GOLDFISH (12-24 Months)
Recommended age: 12-24 months. Parent & Tot 2 teaches toddlers how to play in the water safely! They’ll learn how to enter and exit the water with help from their parent/caregiver and will play games to encourage them to get their face wet and blow bubbles in the water. Toddlers will also develop floating and kicking skills with the support of their parent/caregiver.
Tuesday / Thursdays
10:00 – 10:30 am
PARENT & TOT: SEAHORSE (2-3 Years)
Recommended age: 2-3 years. Parent & Tot 3 teaches toddlers how to safely enter the water wearing a PFD. They’ll develop underwater skills such as submersion and opening their eyes underwater. ‘Starfish’ floats, ‘pencil’ floats and kicking skills are taught using songs and games.
Tuesday / Thursdays
10:00 – 10:30 am
SCHEDULE
Winter Lesson Set #1
Monday / Wednesday
Jan 9 – Feb 10 (10)
Tuesday/ Thursday
Jan 10 – Feb 9 (10)
Winter Lesson Set #2
Monday / Wednesday
Feb 13 – Mar 15 (9)
Tuesday/ Thursday
Feb 14 – Mar 16 (10)
FEES
Group Lessons (30 minutes)
9 Lessons | $36.55
Group Lessons (30 minutes)
10 Lessons | $40.50
Pre-school Lessons
Give your child a head start on learning to swim! The Lifesaving Society Preschool lessons develop an appreciation and healthy respect for the water before they get in too deep. With a progression-based approach, instructors work to ensure 3-5 year olds become comfortable in the water and have fun while developing a foundation of water skills. Water Smart education is included in all Preschool levels. Preschoolers enter Swimmer 1 once they turn five or six years old and can enter Swimmer 2 once they’ve completed Preschool 5.
PRESCHOOL 1: OCTOPUS (3-5 years)
Recommended age: 3-5 years. Preschool 1 is a transitional level which transfers the preschooler to the care of the instructor. Preschoolers will have fun learning to get in and out of the water. They’ll learn how to put their face in the water, blow bubbles in the water, and how to float and glide.
Monday/ Wednesdays
3:30 – 4:00pm
Tuesday / Thursdays
9:30 -10:00am
PRESCHOOL 2: CRAB (3-5 years)
Recommended: Completed Preschool 1. Preschool 2 teaches preschoolers how to safely jump into chest-deep water and how to swim wearing a PFD. They’ll learn submersion skills and continue to work on floats, glides, and kicking with buoyant objects.
Tuesday / Thursdays
9:00 – 9:30am
PRESCHOOL 3: ORCA (3-5 years)
Recommended: Completed Preschool 2. Preschool 3 teaches preschoolers how to enter deep water safely wearing a PFD. They’ll learn how to submerge and exhale underwater, retrieve objects underwater, and will continue developing their floating, gliding and kicking skills.
Tuesday / Thursdays
9:00 – 9:30am
PRESCHOOL 4: SEA LION (3-5 years)
Recommended: Completed Preschool 3. Preschool 4 teaches deep-water entries and treading water wearing a PFD. Preschoolers will become skilled at retrieving objects from the bottom of the pool in chest-deep water and performing front and side glide. Front crawl wearing a PFD is also introduced.
Tuesday / Thursdays
10:30 – 11:00 am
PRESCHOOL 5: NARWHAL (3-5 years)
Recommended: Completed Preschool 4. Preschool 5 teaches Swim to Survive® skills wearing a PFD. Front crawl and back crawl are introduced as well as interval fitness training. Preschoolers will also learn how to tread water and perform vertical whip kick with a buoyant aid. Once complete, preschoolers can register into Swimmer 2.
Tuesday / Thursdays
10:30 – 11:00 am
SCHEDULE
Winter Lesson Set #1
Monday / Wednesday
Jan 9 – Feb 8 (10)
Tuesday/ Thursday
Jan 10 – Feb 9 (10)
Winter Lesson Set #2
Monday / Wednesday
Feb 13 – Mar 15 (9)
Tuesday/ Thursday
Feb 14 – Mar 16 (10)
FEES
Group Lessons (30 minutes)
9 Lessons | $36.55
Group Lessons (30 minutes)
10 Lessons | $40.50
Swim for Life Lessons (Child)
Recommended age: 5 to 12 years. The Lifesaving Society’s Swimmer program makes sure your children learn how to swim before they get in too deep. Each level challenges school-aged children to develop safe entries, deep water support, underwater skills, and swimming strokes. Kids learn healthy habits by getting and staying fit in the water. Swimmer levels include fun, hands-on activities that focus on teaching water safety – lessons that will last a lifetime!
*NOTE: The Red Cross is no longer offering swimming lessons.
SWIMMER 1 (5-12 Years)
Recommended age: 5-12 years. These beginners will become comfortable jumping into the water with and without a PFD. They’ll learn how to open their eyes, exhale and hold their breath underwater. Floats, glides and kicking skills are introduced.
Monday / Wednesdays
4:00 – 4:30pm
Tuesday/ Thursdays
5:00 – 5:30pm
SWIMMER 2 (5-12 Years)
Recommended: Completed Swimmer 1 or Preschool 5. These swimmers will jump into deeper water and learn to be comfortable falling sideways into the water wearing a PFD. They’ll learn how to tread water, develop kicking skills, and will be introduced to front crawl and back crawl.
Mondays / Wednesdays
4:30 – 5:00pm
SWIMMER 3 (5-12 Years)
Recommended: Completed Swimmer 2. These swimmers will learn how to dive and will do in-water somersaults and handstands to develop weight-transfer skills. They’ll learn Swim to Survive® skills, whip kick on back and will further develop their front crawl and back crawl.
Monday / Wednesdays
5:00 – 5:30pm
SWIMMER 4 (5-12 Years)
Recommended: Completed Swimmer 3. These swimmers will become better at diving, treading water, and swimming underwater. They’ll learn the Swim to Survive® standard and start to develop breaststroke. Front crawl and back crawl are further developed.
Tuesday/ Thursdays
4:30 – 5:00pm
SWIMMER 5 (5-12 Years)
Recommended: Completed Swimmer 4. These swimmers will master dives and swimming in deep water. They’ll further their Swim to Survive® skills and start to develop eggbeater kick. Breaststroke, front crawl, and back crawl are further developed. Interval training and sprinting drills continue to challenge these swimmers.
Tuesday / Thursdays
5:30 – 6:15 pm
SWIMMER 6 (5-12 Years)
Recommended: Completed Swimmer 5. These swimmers will become proficient at deep water skills including stride entries and compact jumps. They’ll develop lifesaving kicks such as eggbeater and scissor kick. Breaststroke, front crawl, and back crawl are further developed. Head-up swims, interval training and a 300m workout develop strength and endurance.
Tuesday / Thursdays
5:30 – 6:15pm
SCHEDULE
Winter Lesson Set #1
Monday / Wednesday
Jan 9 – Feb 8 (10)
Tuesday/ Thursday
Jan 10 – Feb 9 (10)
Winter Lesson Set #2
Monday / Wednesday
Feb 13 – Mar 15 (9)
Tuesday/ Thursday
Feb 14 – Mar 16 (10)
FEES
Group Lessons (30 minutes)
Swimmer 1 – 4
9 Lessons | $36.55
10 Lessons | $40.50
Group Lessons (45 minutes)
Swimmer 5 – 6
9 Lessons | $41.15
10 Lessons | $45.50
Canadian Swim Patrol (Youth)
The Canadian Swim Patrol (CSP) is a 3-level pre-Bronze award progression that delivers “work hard/play hard” training for skilled swimmers 8-12 years old. Canadian Swim Patrol is designed to take young swimmers beyond the learn-to-swim program and provide them with basic lifesaving skills. Candidates earn recognition for success in content modules (stickers) and for overall award achievement (badges).
SWIMMER 7: ROOKIE PATROL
Swimmers continue developing front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke. Swimmers develop individual fitness to meet a timed 100m swim and 350m workout. Water proficiency skills include swimming with clothes, ready position, and feet-first/head-first surface dives. Demonstrating the ability to conduct a primary assessment and calling EMS are included as first aid skills. Victim recognition and throwing assists are other key elements of the program.
*Recommended: Completed Swimmer 6.
January 10- February 9
Tuesday / Thursdays
3:30-4:30pm
SWIMMER 8: RANGER PATROL
Ranger Patrol enhances capability in the water including stride entries and underwater, forward and backward somersaults. Swimmers learn lifesaving sport skills with a lifesaving stroke medley, timed object support and a non-contact rescue with a buoyant aid. Eggbeater kick and increased fitness levels are developed to meet a 200m timed swim. First aid focuses on unconscious victims and obstructed airway procedures.
*Recommended: Completed Swimmer 7 – Rookie Patrol.
February 14 – March 16
Tuesday/ Thursday
3:30-4:30pm
SWIMMER 9: STAR PATROL
Star Patrol challenges swimmers with a 300m timed swim, 600m workout and a 25m object carry. Strokes are continued to be refined. Lifesaving skills include use of rescue aids, defense methods, victim removals and supporting a victim in shallow water. First aid focuses on treatment of bone or joint injuries and respiratory emergencies. Once complete, swimmers register into Bronze Star.
*Recommended: Completed Swimmer 8 – Ranger Patrol.
To be released in the 2023
Spring / Summer Recreation Guide
for program dates and times
SCHEDULE
Winter Lesson Set #1
Tuesday/ Thursday
Jan 10 – Feb 9 (10)
Winter Lesson Set #2
Tuesday/ Thursday
Feb 14 – Mar 16 (10)
FEES
Group Lessons (60 minutes)
9 Lessons | $54.40
Group Lessons (60 minutes)
10 Lessons | $60.30
Aquatic Leadership Programs: Bronze
Life Guard Training & Advanced Leadership Programs (13+)
INSTRUCTOR TRAINING: BRONZE MEDALLION
Bronze Medallion, as our flagship certification, teaches an understanding of the lifesaving principles embodied in the four components of water rescue education: judgment, knowledge, skill, and fitness. Bronze Medallion challenges the candidate both mentally and physically. Judgment, knowledge, skill and fitness – the four components of water rescue – form the basis of Bronze Medallion training. Candidates acquire the assessment and problem-solving skills needed to make good decisions in, on and around the water. Bronze Medallion is a prerequisite for Assistant Lifeguard training in Bronze Cross.
Jan 20 – 21 / 27 – 28
Fridays 4-9pm
Saturdays 9-4pm
$205
INSTRUCTOR TRAINING: BRONZE CROSS
Bronze Cross is designed for lifesavers who want the challenge of more advanced training, including an introduction to safety supervision. The Lifesaving Society’s Bronze Cross begins the transition from lifesaving to lifeguarding and prepares candidates for responsibilities as Assistant Lifeguards. Candidates strengthen and expand their lifesaving skills and begin to apply the principles and techniques of active surveillance in aquatic facilities. Bronze Cross emphasizes the importance of teamwork and communication in preventing and responding to aquatic emergencies. Bronze Cross is a prerequisite for advanced training in the Society’s National Lifeguard and leadership certification programs.
Feb 24 – 25/ Mar 3-4
Fridays 4-9pm / Saturday 9-4pm
$165
INSTRUCTOR TRAINING: NATIONAL LIFEGUARD
The National Lifeguard Pool certification is designed to develop the fundamental values, judgment, knowledge, skills and fitness required by lifeguards. The National Lifeguard course emphasizes the lifeguarding skills, principles and practices, and the decision-making processes which will assist the lifeguard to provide effective safety supervision in swimming pool environments.
Saturday March 18 –
Thursday March 23
9:00am – 5:30pm
$395
INSTRUCTOR TRAINING: WATER SAFETY INSTRUCTOR
Water Safety Instructor
Cost $550
To be determined.
INSTRUCTOR TRAINING: STANDARD FIRST AID (OFA 1)
STANDARD FIRST AID
Standard First Aid is a WorkSafeBC Occupational Level 1 equivalent and can be used in the workplace. This course includes comprehensive training covering all aspects of rst aid, CPR and AED use. Whether you need training for employment or simply want to be prepared to respond to life-threatening emergencies, this course will give you the skills and knowledge to act with condence. In addition to the material covered in Emergency First Aid, candidates will learn how to treat head/neck injuries, soft tissue and muscoskeletal injuries and medical emergencies.
January 14 & 15
8:30am – 5:00pm
Civic Centre Cost
$145.00
Registration deadline: January 2
*Minimum 6 candidates
RECERTIFICATION: STANDARD FIRST AID
STANDARD FIRST AID RECERTIFICATION CLINIC
LOCATION: Civic Centre
FEE: $125.00
Sunday, January 15
8:30am – 5:00pm
RECERTIFICATION: NATIONAL LIFEGUARD
NATIONAL LIFEGUARD RECERTIFICATION CLINIC
LOCATION: Nicola Valley Aquatic Centre
FEE: $125
Sunday, February 5
12:00 – 4:00pm
Thursday, March 23
12:00 – 4:00pm
RECERTIFICATION: LIFESAVING INSTRUCTOR
RECERTIFICATION CLINIC: LIFESAVING INSTRUCTOR
LOCATION: Nicola Valley Aquatic Centre
FEE: $125
Friday, February 24
4:00 – 9:00pm
Adult & Fitness Swimming Lessons
Whether you’re just starting out or just want help with your strokes, the Adult Swim program is for you no matter your age! Work with certified instructors to learn to swim or improve your current swimming ability & fitness. You’ll develop confidence in the water and be able to set your own goals. Water Smart education is included in all Adult levels.
*MINIMUM AGE: 13 years
ADULT LESSONS 1
Work towards 10-15m swim on your front and back while you learn safe entries into shallow and deep water, develop skills while wearing a PFD, learn breath control and underwater skills. Floats, glides, flutter kick and vertical whip kick are introduced. Your fitness will improve through interval training and learning front crawl and back crawl.
Winter Lesson Set #1
Mondays Jan 9 – Feb 6 (5)
5:30 – 6:00pm
Cost $25 + tax
Winter Lesson Set #2
Mondays Feb 13 – Mar 13 (4)
5:30 – 6:00pm
Cost $20 + tax
ADULT LESSONS 2
Recommended: Completed Adult 1. Develop your fitness by working on two interval training workouts, sprints and further developing your front crawl and back crawl. You’ll learn Swim to Survive skills and further develop deep water entries/skills while wearing a PFD. Whip kick is further developed along with an introduction to breaststroke.
Winter Lesson Set #1
Mondays Jan 9 – Feb 6 (5)
5:30 – 6:00pm
Cost $25 + tax
Winter Lesson Set #2
Mondays Feb 13 – Mar 13 (4)
5:30 – 6:00pm
Cost $20 + tax
ADULT LESSONS 3
Recommended: Completed Adult 2. You’ll master front crawl, back crawl and breaststroke. Continue your fitness training with a 300m workout, sprint challenges and interval training. You’ll learn eggbeater, diving and compact jumps. Further develop treading water and underwater skills.
Winter Lesson Set #1
Mondays Jan 9 – Feb 6 (5)
5:30 – 6:00pm
Cost $25 + tax
Winter Lesson Set #2
Mondays Feb 13 – Mar 13 (4)
5:30 – 6:00pm
Cost $20 + tax
FITNESS SWIMMER
No matter your age, Fitness Swimmer lets you set your own goals to improve overall physical fitness in the water. Fitness Swimmer is a structured approach based on accepted training principles including stretches, interval training, sprints and distance swims.
Winter Lesson Set #1
Wednesdays Jan 11 – Feb 8 (5)
5:30 – 6:00pm
Cost? $25 + tax
Winter Lesson Set #2
Wednesdays Feb 15 – Mar 15 (5)
5:30 – 6:00pm
Cost? $25 + tax
Private Lessons
Interested in private lessons? Enjoy some one on one instruction! Our private lessons offer flexibility and personalized attention.
Semi-private lessons are available by request, and swimmers must be in similar level or have similar swimming abilities.
PRIVATE: (30 minutes): 4 Lessons | $60.00
* Add an extra student for $7.20 (ie: 2 people: $67.20; 3 people: $74.40)
* Available upon request.
SCHEDULE: WEDNESDAYS
January 11 – February 1
(4 lessons)
February 22 – March 15
(4 lessons)
3:30pm – 4:00pm
4:00pm – 4:30pm
4:30pm – 5:00pm
5:00pm – 5:30pm
5:30pm – 6:00pm
6:00pm – 6:30pm
SCHEDULE: FRIDAYS
January 13 – February 3
(4 lessons)
February 24 – March 17
(4 lessons)
3:30pm – 4:00pm
4:00pm – 4:30pm
4:30pm – 5:00pm
5:00pm – 5:30pm
5:30pm – 6:00pm
6:00pm – 6:30pm
