Nicola Valley Aquatic Centre

ADMISSION FEES
AQUAFIT PROGRAMS
SWIMMING LESSONS
BIRTHDAY PARTIES

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
DOWNLOAD RECREATION GUIDE
REGISTER ONLINE > MERRITT.CA/REGISTRATION
* NOTE: Limited Swimming Lessons available due to staffing shortages.

Annual Pool Shut Down

LAST DAY |  Friday, September 1
CLOSED | Sept 2 – Oct 2, 2023
REOPENING | Oct 3, 2023

*Due to possible unforeseen staffing challenges, facility hours and programs may be affected.*

Pool Hours | Summer 2023

Mon-Fri |  6am-7:30pm
Sat | 10am-5pm
Sun | 12pm-4pm

Pool Hours  |  Fall 2023

Monday
to Friday

|  6:00am – 8:15am
|  9:00am – 1:45pm
|  3:30pm – 7:30pm

Saturday

|  10:00am – 5:00pm

Sunday

|  12:00pm – 4:00pm

*Pool area closed between 8:15am-9:00am and closed between 1:45pm – 3:30pm Monday – Friday

Fitness Hours | Fall 2023

Monday
to Friday

|  6:00am – 7:30pm

Saturday

|  10:00am – 5:00pm

Sunday

|  12:00pm – 4:00pm

*CLOSED for statutory holiday, Thanksgiving, Monday, October 9, 2023

CONTACT

PO Box 189, 2040 Mamette Avenue
Merritt BC V1K 1B8
(250) 378-6662 Phone
(250) 378-3504 Fax
pool@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 | JULY + AUGUST 2023

Challenge your balance to the core focusing on your strength and cardio on an anchored floatation mat.

LOCATION: Main Pool

FEE:  $40 for 4 sessions
*Minimum 4, Maximum 6 participants
* Pre-Registration Required

REGISTER:  merritt.ca/registration
(250) 378-6662   |   pool@merritt.ca

Tuesdays 6:45 – 7:15 pm
July 11 – August 1, 2023
August 8 – 29, 2023

Fridays 12:00 – 12:30pm
July 14 – August 4, 2023
August 11 – Sept 1, 2023

POST-REHAB AQUATIC CLASS | JULY 2023

Oh, My Aching Body

POST-REHABILITATION AQUATIC CLASS  |  2-WEEK TRIAL

An aquatic post rehabilitation class for those wanting to exercise in spite of pain and hoping for pain relief.  Refresh your body in the healing environment of our therapeutic leisure pool’s warm caressing water, with some instruction to facilitate body exercise and stretch in a class setting. The pool has a gentle slope walk-in-entrance to a circular path ideal for gait training which will be part of the class. There is a stand- alone protected area that has benches in the centre of it for those who want to participate on their own terms.

Come and honour your own range of motion while expecting fitness maintenance and gains.

Tuesdays + Thursdays
JULY 4+6+11+13  |  2023
11:00 am – 12:00pm

Cost: Drop-in | Regular Admission
LOCATION: Leisure Pool
FEE:  Regular Admission

Swimming Lessons

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) | SCHEDULE + FEES | FALL 2023

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

SESSION SCHEDULE FEE
Tuesday & Thursdays October 17 – November 16 10:00 – 10:30AM $40.50 (10 classes)
* Due to potential staffing challenges, programs may be affected.

PARENT & TOT: GOLDFISH (12-24 Months) | SCHEDULE + FEES | FALL 2023

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

SESSION SCHEDULE FEE
Tuesday & Thursdays October 17 – November 16 10:00 – 10:30AM $40.50 (10 classes)
* Due to potential staffing challenges, programs may be affected.

PARENT & TOT: SEAHORSE (2-3 Years) | SCHEDULE + FEES | FALL 2023

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

SESSION SCHEDULE FEE
Tuesday & Thursdays October 17 – November 16 10:00 – 10:30AM $40.50 (10 classes)
* Due to potential staffing challenges, programs may be affected.

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) | SCHEDULE + FEES FALL 2023

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.

SESSION SCHEDULE FEE
Mondays & Wednesdays October 16 – November 15 4:00PM – 4:30PM $36.55 (9 classes)
* Due to potential staffing challenges, programs may be affected.

PRESCHOOL 2: CRAB (3-5 years) | SCHEDULE + FEES FALL 2023

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.

SESSION SCHEDULE FEE
Mondays & Wednesdays October 16 – November 15 4:00PM – 4:30PM $36.55 (9 classes)
* Due to potential staffing challenges, programs may be affected.

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.

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.

Not currently scheduled

Contact NVAC

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.

Not currently scheduled

Contact NVAC

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) | SCHEDULE + FEES

SESSION SCHEDULE FEE
Mondays & Wednesdays October 16 – November 15 4:30PM – 5:00PM $36.55 (9 classes)
* Due to potential staffing challenges, programs may be affected.

SWIMMER 2 (5-12 Years) | SCHEDULE + FEES

SESSION SCHEDULE FEE
Mondays & Wednesdays October 16 – November 15 4:30PM – 5:00PM $36.55 (9 classes)
* Due to potential staffing challenges, programs may be affected.

SWIMMER 3 (5-12 Years) | SCHEDULE + FEES

SESSION SCHEDULE FEE
Mondays & Wednesdays October 16 – November 15 5:00PM – 5:30PM $36.55 (9 classes)
* Due to potential staffing challenges, programs may be affected.

SWIMMER 4 (5-12 Years) | SCHEDULE + FEES

SESSION SCHEDULE FEE
Mondays & Wednesdays October 16 – November 15 5:00PM – 5:30PM $36.55 (9 classes)
* Due to potential staffing challenges, programs may be affected.

SWIMMER 5 (5-12 Years) | SCHEDULE + FEES

SESSION SCHEDULE FEE
Mondays & Wednesdays October 16 – November 15 5:00PM – 6:15PM $41.15 (9 classes)
* Due to potential staffing challenges, programs may be affected.

SWIMMER 6 (5-12 Years) | SCHEDULE + FEES

SESSION SCHEDULE FEE
Mondays & Wednesdays October 16 – November 15 5:00PM – 6:15PM $41.15 (9 classes)
* Due to potential staffing challenges, programs may be affected.

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. 

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. 

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. 

Not currently scheduled.

Contact NVAC

Aquatic Leadership & Lifeguard Programs (13+)

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.

PREREQUISITE: Bronze Star

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.

PREREQUISITE: Bronze Medallion

STANDARD FIRST AID (OFA 1)

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 first 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 confidence. In addition to the material covered in Emergency First Aid, candidates will learn how to treat head/neck injuries, soft tissue and musculoskeletal injuries and medical emergencies.

2 day program
$145.00
LOCATION: MERRITT CIVIC CENTRE

NATIONAL LIFEGUARD CERTIFICATION

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.

PREREQUISITE: BRONZE CROSS + STANDARD FIRST AID | 15+ YEARS
$395

SWIM INSTRUCTOR COURSE

The Lifesaving Society Swim Instructor course trains candidates on competency Level 1 knowledge, and skills and attitudes needed to teach the Society’s Swim for Life® and Canadian Swim Patrol programs.

LIFE SAVING INSTRUCTOR COURSE

Lifesaving Instructor/Examiners are trained to teach Junior Lifeguard Club, Swim to Survive, Lifesaving for Lay Rescuers, Lifesaving for Backyard Pool Owners, Safeguard, Canadian Swim Patrol (Rookie, Ranger, Star), Bronze Star, Bronze Medallion, and Bronze Cross. Candidates are trained in and must demonstrate skills, knowledge, and attitudes at competency Level 1 (Lifesaving Instructor) to include all aspects of learning as well as various approaches required to teach water rescue, First Aid, and related aquatic skills in the Canadian Lifesaving Program.

RECERTIFICATION: NATIONAL LIFEGUARD

Have you already received your Lifeguard Certification? Has it expired? Renew it for another 2 years with this one-day course.

PREREQUISITE: National Lifeguard Certification
$125
LOCATION: NICOLA VALLEY AQUATIC CENTRE

RECERTIFICATION: STANDARD FIRST AID

Have you already received Standard First Aid training? Has your certification expired? Renew it for another two years with this one-day course.

PREREQUISITE: Standard First Aid
$125
LOCATION: Merritt Civic Centre

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

LESSONS MAY BE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

CONTACT NVAC

*Due to possible unforeseen staffing challenges, facility hours and programs may be affected.