Watermania Richmond: The Complete Guide to Metro Vancouver's Favourite Indoor Water Park

If you're searching for a place in Richmond where the kids can burn off energy on a rainy Lower Mainland afternoon while you squeeze in a workout, Watermania is probably already on your radar. Tucked inside the Riverport Sports and Entertainment Complex, this City of Richmond facility has been a go-to spot for local families, fitness regulars, and competitive swimmers for years — and it's earned its reputation as one of the best family amusement centres in the city.

Here's everything you need to know before you go, from hours and directions to what's actually inside the building.

Where Is Watermania Located?

Watermania sits at 14300 Entertainment Blvd, Richmond, BC V6W 1K3, as part of the larger Riverport entertainment hub on Richmond's south side — the same area that's home to movie theatres, bowling, and other family attractions, so it's easy to turn a swim into a full afternoon out.

If you've never been, it's worth watching a quick virtual tour before your visit so you know your way around once you're inside.

Getting there by car: Take Highway 99 to Exit 32 (Steveston Highway) and head east — Watermania is well signed from there, with plenty of parking on site.

Watermania Hours of Operation

Hours vary by day and by area of the facility, so it's worth double-checking before you head out:

A couple of things worth flagging: on Saturdays, general public swim wraps up at 8:15pm, after which the pool switches to a Women and Girls Only Swim session until closing. And like most City of Richmond facilities, hours shift around statutory holidays — always check the City's holiday hours page before a holiday-weekend trip so you're not showing up to a locked door.

What's Inside Watermania

Watermania isn't just a pool — it's a genuine aquatic and fitness complex, and the variety is really what sets it apart from Richmond's other community centres.

The Wave Pool and Interactive Water Play Area

This is the section most families come for. The wave pool includes a run of interactive features built specifically for younger kids: a giant seahorse that tips a bucket of water over swimmers below, a tot-friendly slide, and a scattering of sprayers and water wheels that keep toddlers and early-elementary kids entertained for hours without needing the deep end.

57-Metre Competition Pool with Movable Bulkhead

For lane swimmers and swim clubs, Watermania houses a 57-metre competition pool fitted with a movable bulkhead, which lets staff reconfigure the pool's length and layout depending on what's programmed — lane swimming, lessons, or competitive meets.

Diving Boards and 5-Metre Tower

Divers have access to 1-metre and 3-metre springboards along with a 5-metre tower. Diving board and tower access can be limited depending on staffing and programming, so it's worth calling ahead (604-448-5353) to confirm they're open before making the trip specifically for diving.

Two Waterslides

Watermania's two waterslides are a highlight for older kids and teens, though there are safety rules to know before you get in line:

• Riders must be at least 7 years old and 1.2 metres tall
• Slides are single-rider only — parents cannot ride down with a child on their lap
• Like the diving boards, slide hours can vary, so call ahead to confirm

Steam Room, Sauna and Two Whirlpools

After laps or a session in the wave pool, the steam room, sauna, and two large whirlpools give adults a place to unwind — a nice touch that a lot of community pools skip.

3,000 Sq. Ft. Fitness Centre

Beyond the pools, Watermania runs a full 3,000-square-foot fitness centre with cardio equipment, strength and toning machines, and a free weights area, all covered under standard Fitness Centre hours.

Multipurpose Rooms

Two air-conditioned multipurpose rooms with sprung wood flooring round out the building, used for group fitness classes and rentals — sprung floors are gentler on joints, which makes them a solid choice for anything from dance to aquafit-adjacent land classes.

Accessibility at Watermania

The facility was built with accessibility in mind: it's fully wheelchair accessible throughout, and change rooms come in both universal and accessible formats, so families and individuals with mobility needs aren't stuck navigating awkward layouts.

On-Site Amenities

Two independent businesses operate right inside Watermania, so you don't need to leave the building for either:

• Watermania Sports Therapy Clinic — 604-448-9616
• Swim & Fitness Shop — 604-277-1260, handy if you forget goggles, a swim cap, or a padlock for the lockers

Joint Replacement Recovery Program

One feature that surprises a lot of first-time visitors: Watermania runs a post-operative Joint Replacement Recovery (JR2) program for people recovering from knee or hip replacement surgery, developed jointly with Richmond Health Services. It combines land- and water-based exercise to rebuild range of motion and strength, and typically requires a physiotherapist referral. Sessions run Monday and Wednesday, 11:30am–12:45pm — call Donna Bishop at 604-238-8004 for details or to get started.

Awards and Recognition

Watermania has picked up a BCRPA Facility Excellence Award and has been voted Richmond's best family amusement centre by locals — not a bad track record for a public facility.

Visitor Tips Before You Go

• Call ahead if diving boards or waterslides are the main draw — both are subject to staffing-dependent hours.
• Kids under 1.2m or younger than 7 can't ride the waterslides, so plan wave pool time for younger siblings instead.
• Saturday evenings switch to Women and Girls Only Swim at 8:30pm — time your visit accordingly if that doesn't apply to your group.
• Check holiday hours before long weekends; Watermania's schedule shifts along with other City of Richmond facilities.
• Bring a padlock (or grab one from the Swim & Fitness Shop) for the lockers.

Contact Information

• Address: 14300 Entertainment Blvd, Richmond, BC V6W 1K3
• Phone: 604-448-5353
• Email: aquatics@richmond.ca
• Map: View on Google Maps

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Watermania open on Sundays? Yes — Sunday hours are 10:00am to 9:00pm, shorter than the rest of the week.

How old do you have to be to ride the Watermania waterslides? Riders must be at least 7 years old and 1.2 metres tall, and slides are single-rider only.

Is Watermania wheelchair accessible? Yes, the entire facility is wheelchair accessible with both universal and accessible change rooms.

Where does Watermania parking direct you from Highway 99? Take Exit 32 (Steveston Highway) off Highway 99 and head east; Watermania is part of the Riverport Sports and Entertainment Complex.

Does Watermania have a fitness centre separate from the pool? Yes, a 3,000-square-foot fitness centre with cardio machines, strength equipment, and free weights, open the same hours as the rest of the facility Monday through Saturday.