Richmond Olympic Oval

This world-class Olympic venue from the 2010 Winter Games offers families an impressive array of activities under one roof, from ice skating on the same rink speed skaters competed on to swimming in Olympic-standard pools. Kids will be thrilled to explore a real Olympic facility while parents appreciate the excellent recreational programs, clean facilities, and surprisingly affordable admission prices.

• ✓Ice skating on an Olympic speed skating oval where world records were set
• ✓Olympic-sized swimming pool with family swim times and a leisure pool for younger children
• ✓Interactive Olympic museum displays featuring torches, medals, and athlete stories from the 2010 Vancouver Games
• ✓Climbing walls and various drop-in sports activities for active families
• ✓Clean, modern facilities with a welcoming cafe perfect for snack breaks

1. 1.Arrive early on weekends as public skating and swimming sessions can fill up quickly, especially during school holidays.
2. 2.Rent skates or bring your own helmet for skating. Skating aids (walkers) are available for beginners at no extra charge.
3. 3.Check the daily schedule online before visiting as public skating and swim times vary throughout the week.
4. 4.Bring Canadian dollars or a credit card as many facilities in Canada have gone cashless or prefer card payments.
5. 5.Visit the Olympic Experience exhibit on the upper level to see medals, torches, and interactive displays about the 2010 Games.

Weekday mornings (9:00 AM to 12:00 PM) are least crowded, making them ideal for families with younger children. Weekend afternoons are busiest. Summer months offer more flexible scheduling for international visitors, while winter provides the most authentic Canadian ice skating experience.

Admission is very affordable at around $5-10 CAD per person for public skating or swimming (exact prices vary by activity). Ample free parking is available on-site. An on-site cafe offers snacks and light meals, and the facility is fully accessible with elevators and accessible washrooms throughout.

Open year-round with consistent programming. Ice skating is available throughout the year, making this a great rainy day activity any season. Special programs and camps run during school breaks in summer (July and August) and winter (late December). Book ahead for holiday periods as programs fill quickly.

The Oval has an on-site cafe for quick bites. For fuller meals, Richmond is known for excellent Asian cuisine. Aberdeen Centre food court (10 minutes away) offers diverse, affordable, kid-friendly Asian food options. Steveston Village (15 minutes away) has family-friendly seafood restaurants and fish and chips shops along the waterfront.