At the City of Victoria, we are committed to embedding equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility into our programs, policies, spaces and services. Our goal in recreation is to provide safe, inclusive and meaningful recreation opportunities for everyone. Our recreational programs aim to create a welcoming and respectful environment for individuals of all backgrounds, ages, abilities, gender identities, expressions and what makes each of us unique.
If you have a question or concern about City-wide policy, service accessibility or accommodations, please contact the Inclusion Coordinator at accessibility@victoria.ca. If you require assistance or require accommodations to access recreational programming, please contact the front desk staff or the Inclusion Coordinator.
Visiting Crystal Pool
We strive to provide meaningful access to our facility and programs.
• Three accessible parking spaces • Power operated front entrance doors
• Lifts on staircases to change rooms and fitness centre • Side entrance ramp access to universal change room • Grab bars in change rooms and showers and a shower with a seat • Accessible change rooms with power-operated doors • Accessible fitness equipment • Aquatic angel lift with access to leisure pool and main pool • Manual crank lift into main pool • Wheelchairs and aqua walker • Women’s and men’s change rooms, universal change room, three private dry change stalls • Universal change room with a designated wudu (ablution) space
Summer Camp Inclusion Program
Our goal in recreation is to provide safe, inclusive and meaningful recreational opportunities for everyone. To ensure families have the support they need, we offer inclusion support for children attending summer camps.
Families needing one-on-one inclusion support for their child can register for the summer camp inclusion program starting April 15. Registered families can receive up to three weeks of support from an Inclusion Leader at no additional cost. After all requests have been reviewed, families will be contacted to confirm the weeks they will receive one-to-one support for their child. Spaces are limited so register early. If the program is full, we encourage families to wait list and they will be contacted as spaces become available.
Step 1: Register for your preferred weeks of summer camp. The summer camp program flyer can be viewed online. Camp registration opens April 15 at 7 a.m.
Step 2: Register for the summer camp inclusion program. You will be prompted to indicate your top 3 weeks of inclusion support.
Step 3: Wait to be contacted by the summer inclusion coordinator who will confirm which weeks one to one support is available. Staff will respond to all requested by May 31. Please note, requests are processed on a first come first served basis. Families on the wait list will be contacted as spaces become available.
Step 4: Get ready for a summer of fun!
Questions? Contact the summer camp inclusion coordinator at camps@victoria.ca
Programs and Services
Inclusive Swimming and Lessons
Swimmers of all abilities are welcome at the City’s recreation facilities. Individuals with special accommodations have options available, including:
group lessons
private lessons
drop-in quiet swims for those with noise sensitivity
If you require support for registration and are looking for more information, please email the Aquatic Coordinator or call 250.361.0712.
Leisure Assistant Pass
The Leisure Assistant Pass is for people with disabilities of all ages. The pass allows a support person to join people with a disability during leisure activities. When presented, the pass grants one support person free or reduced admission. This supports participation without costing the person with a disability double for admission.
The City of Victoria’s Leisure Involvement For Everyone (L.I.F.E.) program improves access to recreation services and programs for individuals and families living on a low income. The City of Victoria and its regional partners are committed to ensuring residents have access and choices in their leisure opportunities.
Jumpstart offers programs intended to enrich the lives of kids in need. Jumpstart assists with registration costs for sport programs. Children aged 4-18 interested in sport, dance, or other organized physical activities may be eligible.
KidSport Victoria is part of a national network of community based volunteer groups. Its goal is to ensure that kids in financial need have access to sport and physical activity. Physical activity can encourage self-expression, goal setting and increased self-confidence in kids.
If a participant in a recreational program has an allergy, please describe the allergy on the registration form. For epinephrine injections and anaphylactic reactions, please complete the Anaphylaxis Action Plan below. All City programs are nut-free.
The City recognizes that scented products can cause adverse reactions for some people. To keep the air healthy for everyone, Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre is a scent-free facility. Signs around the facility encourage avoiding scented products while in the building.
