Recreation FAQs

*Please note these dates may change, check back often.

May 14 - Registration for summer camps, swim lessons and more opens at 8 a.m.

Registration can be done by phone, in-person or online. All programs and activity details can be found online 

Please note if you are registering during a busy time (ie first day of registration) you may be queued in a virtual line. It will look like this:

Register to this page and be the first to receive the newest Active Living Guide by email.

RDN Recreation now offers programs in Cedar, Cassidy, South Wellington and Yellowpoint. 

Visit rdn.bc.ca/area-a-recreation to find out what is on offer in this area.

Our administration and programming staff are currently available by phone at 250-248-3252 Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Current facility hours are updated here.

You can also email us at recparks@rdn.bc.ca this email is monitored Monday to Friday.

Q. What is the Sports Fields and Recreation Services Usage Survey Project?

A. The Services Usage Survey project, led by the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN), collects residential address data connected to the usage of recreation facilities (pools and arenas) and municipal and RDN-owned sports fields. The data is used to determine what percentage of tax contributions will be put towards these amenities within the RDN. The usage survey project does not include School District 68 or 69-owned sports fields.

Q. Are all Regional District of Nanaimo communities included in the project?

A. Yes. For this project, the RDN is broken into two geographical groups, ‘District 68’ and ‘District 69’.  The shared cost of sports fields and recreation services for these two groups are captured within either the ‘District 68 Sports Field and Recreation Services Agreement’ or the ‘District 69 Sports Field and Recreation Services Agreement’.   

District 68 includes: Electoral Areas A, B and C, the District of Lantzville and the City of Nanaimo 

District 69 includes: Electoral Areas E, F, G and H, the Town of Qualicum Beach and the City of Parksville 

Q. Why is this survey being done now? 

A. Conducting a usage survey every five years is a requirement of both Sports Fields and Recreation Services Agreements (District 68 and 69). The last survey was conducted in 2015.  The survey scheduled to be completed in 2020 was postponed to 2023 due to COVID 19. 

For information or copies of these agreements please contact recparks@rdn.bc.ca. 

Q: What data or information is gathered?

A: Only the residential address for the user associated with the particular use of the facility/field is collected. The residential address supplied determines where within the RDN the usage should be attributed/assigned. 

For example, if the residential address falls within Electoral Area B, that usage will be added to the Electoral Area B Usage count. 

Q: How is the usage data collected?

A: There are four different ways the usage data (how much a given facility or field is used) is being collected:  

1. In person surveying at selected facilities where public drop-in sessions occur. These quick (less than a minute) surveys will take place in the spring and fall months at the major recreation centres; Beban Park, Frank Crane Arena, Nanaimo Ice Centre, Nanaimo Aquatic Centre, Ravensong Aquatic Centre and Oceanside Place Arena. 
2. Membership pass usage: monthly reports by the RDN and City of Nanaimo recreation departments count the times membership passes are used at facilities. These reports only include the mailing address of the pass holder.
3. Field and facility rental group membership lists: regular user groups (e.g. sport associations) are asked to provide the residential addresses of their members.  
4. Program Registration: monthly registration reports run by the RDN and City of Nanaimo recreation departments provide the residential address of program participants. 

In all cases, only residential addresses are collected. No other information is recorded.

Q: Can I decline to participate in an in-person survey?

A: Yes. You are under no obligation to participate in the in-person survey. If you have any concerns about the in-person surveys, please contact the facility operator directly (depending on the location that may be a City of Nanaimo employee or RDN employee). 

Q: When will the results be known and shared?

A: The final report is now (Feb 2024) available here: Recreation Facility Use Study 2023 

Q: When will any changes in taxes based on the results of the report take effect?

A: Upon completion of the usage report and presentation to the RDN Board, the timing of financial implications will be reviewed. 

Past copies of the Usage Surveys (2010 and 2015) can be requested by emailing recparks@rdn.bc.ca.

Private swim lessons are available. To arrange please call 250-752-5014 or search online

The RDN does not hire out swim instructors/ lifeguards for activities outside the facility.

There are a few important things to consider before hiring a lifeguard or swimming instructor for your backyard pool or local swimming spot.

Is the person certified and authorized to provide swim lessons or guarding? The Lifesaving Society provide certification for lifeguards and swimming instructors. RDN recommends only hiring certified instructors to ensure they are providing you with a safe and quality service.

Are they prepared for an emergency? Certified instructors should be trained to handle emergency situations like injuries or drowning. Make sure they are prepared and that there is equipment available to handle emergencies (first aid kit, phone, rescue devices, backup person).

What about insurance? Ensure you and your instructor have the necessary liability insurance coverage. Your house insurance policy may not cover this. Lifeguards and swim instructors should also have their own insurance to cover liability for themselves or their business.

For more info check out Lifesaving Society BC

Each season, programs and activities will be viewable before the registration date.

You can use the wishlist function and be ready to register easier and quicker when registration opens.

Here are a coupe of how to videos:

How to use the wishlist function in your online account

How to register from your wishlist when registration opens.

Your My Account feature allows you to view a weekly or monthly schedule of yours and your family's upcoming activities. This is the quickest was to double check what days they are registered in activities or programs.

1. Click the Online Activity Search and Registration button on rdn.bc.ca/recreation

2. Click Sign-in to access your online account. 

3. Click View Family Members Schedule.

4. Select the Family Members you wish to view.

5. Select the Schedule Type. We recommend that you Select all so you don't miss an activity or FlexReg program. You can also search by Center and Facilities.

6. Select Week or Month view.

7. If you wish, click Print or Add to calendar.

What swim level do I register my child in? 

If your child has taken swim lessons before, you can find out the last level completed by:

1. Checking your account online.

The last level your child completed will be recorded in My Account/Activity Program Graded List.

1. Calling us at 250-248-3252 or 250-752-5014 our staff will be happy to look this up for you.

If you are still unsure or just starting lessons. 

We recommend: 

• 0-2 years register in parent and tot lessons.
• Preschool, ages 3-5 years start in Preschool 1.
• Children ages 5 years+ start in Swimmer 1. 

If your child has been swimming and is confident in the water, visit our pool during an Everyone Welcome session and ask our staff to recommend the right swim level for your child.

View the transition grid here

Oceanside Place is available for facility bookings. Please contact krichmond@rdn.bc.ca  or call 250 248 3252 for information. 

Fields/sport courts Please visit rdn.bc.ca/sport-fields-and-courts or email fieldbooking@rdn.bc.ca 

Ravensong Aquatic Centre is available for private rentals. Bookings are available online. 

For local field and court booking information please go to rdn.bc.ca/sport-fields-and-courts

or email fieldbooking@rdn.bc.ca 

Refund Policy: Regrettably, if a minimum number of registrants are not met, we may have to cancel or combine classes due to low registration. These decisions are made prior to the program start date. Please register early to avoid disappointment. A 100% refund is granted when we cancel a program.

Extended illness/injury: In cases of extended illness or injury, a prorated refund or credit may be granted upon provision of a medical note. 

Missed classes: Classes missed due to sickness, vacation or other reasons will not be refunded or credited.

Withdrawal from camps (partial or full day) requires seven (7) days’ notice prior to start date.

Withdrawal from programs, lessons and activities requires 72 hours’ notice prior to start date. If less than the required amount of time is provided no refund or credit will be issued.

Please call RDN Recreation and Parks at 250-248-3252 or 250-752-5014 to withdraw.

If bad weather occurs, we will reach out to registered participants to let them know if a program needs to be cancelled. 

If either Ravensong Aquatic Centre or Oceanside Place Arena close, alerts will be posted on the RDN website and on RDN social media: Facebook,  X

Please note:

Above all else, if you are uncomfortable or it is unsafe for you to travel, please stay home.  

Watch RDN social media for the most immediate service notices; Facebook, X

If schools are cancelled, community recreation morning programs will also be cancelled. 

If conditions at a specific site are compromised due to power outages, ice or snow removal, emails will be sent to program registrants as soon as possible. 

Anything that is scheduled after 12:00pm will be reassessed by 11:00am and updated on social media and by email, if possible. 

Subscribe to RDN alerts and stay informed on all RDN services.

Contact  250-248-3252 or 250-752-5014