Columbus residents can swim indoors year-round at the Columbus Aquatics Center, where admission starts at $2 for children, $3 for seniors and $5 for adults, according to Columbus Parks and Recreation. The facility at 1603 Midtown Drive is open six days a week, offers swimming programs and sells memberships that can reduce the cost for frequent visitors.

Unlike the city's outdoor swimming pools, which operate seasonally, the indoor facility provides a swimming option through fall and winter. Visitors can purchase daily admission or choose from three-, six- and 12-month memberships, with lower prices for Muscogee County residents.

But how much does a membership actually save? Can children take swimming lessons? And what is the difference between the competition pool and the warmer instructional pool?

Here are 12 questions and answers about swimming indoors in Columbus in 2026, using information published by the city's Parks and Recreation Department and the Columbus Sports Council.

1. Where Can You Swim Indoors in Columbus Year-Round?

The Columbus Aquatics Center is located at 1603 Midtown Drive, Columbus, GA 31906. It is the city's year-round indoor swimming facility, operated as part of the Columbus Parks and Recreation aquatic system.

The center includes a large competition swimming pool and a smaller warming pool. The facility supports lap swimming, swimming instruction, aquatic fitness activities and competitive swimming events.

According to the Columbus Sports Council, the building contains approximately 57,000 square feet of space. The competition pool can accommodate 10 lanes when configured for 50-meter swimming, while the smaller warming pool measures 25 yards long.

The center also has spectator seating, including a mezzanine with approximately 900 seats. This allows the facility to host swimming competitions and other organized aquatic events in addition to everyday recreation.

For questions about public swimming availability, visitors can contact the Aquatics Center directly at 706-225-3980.

2. What Are the Columbus Aquatics Center Hours?

The Columbus Aquatics Center is open Monday through Saturday and closed on Sundays. Its published schedule provides longer operating hours on weekdays and a shorter period on Saturdays.

These are the general facility hours published by Columbus Parks and Recreation. They should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every swimming lane or instructional area is available for public use throughout the day.

Because the building also accommodates organized programs and competitions, swimmers should verify lane availability before visiting, particularly if they want to swim laps at a specific time.

These are the hours on the city's current facility page. Call 706-225-3980 before a trip to confirm, especially around holidays or swim meets.

3. How Much Does It Cost to Swim Indoors in Columbus?

Daily admission depends on a visitor's age and whether the person lives in Muscogee County. County residents pay half the regular nonresident admission price in every published age category.

Children ages 11 and younger receive the lowest admission price. Adults ages 18 through 54 pay the highest daily rate, while teenagers and adults 55 and older qualify for lower prices.

For a Muscogee County family consisting of two adults ages 18 through 54 and two children ages 11 or younger, the published admission rates add up to $14 per visit. The same combination of visitors from outside Muscogee County would pay $28.

That difference can become substantial for families that visit regularly. Four visits would cost the resident family $56, compared with $112 for the nonresident family.

The center determines resident admission eligibility using photo identification. Visitors should bring identification showing their current address rather than assuming they will automatically receive the local rate.

4. Is a Columbus Aquatics Center Membership Cheaper Than Paying Daily Admission?

A membership can save money for someone who swims frequently, but the amount depends on the person's age, residency and number of visits. Columbus Parks and Recreation offers memberships lasting three, six or 12 months.

For a Muscogee County adult ages 18 through 54, a three-month single membership costs $85. That equals the cost of 17 individual $5 visits, meaning the membership starts saving money with the 18th visit during that membership period.

A six-month single membership costs $150, equivalent to 30 adult daily visits. A 12-month single membership costs $200, equivalent to 40 visits.

Calculations by Columbus Times using the city's published adult admission and membership prices. The comparisons exclude additional membership benefits.

Someone swimming twice a week could reach the 41-visit threshold well before the end of a 12-month membership. A person swimming only occasionally may spend less using daily admission.

Memberships also include benefits beyond pool access, including use of the center's workout room, towel service, padlock rental and special rates for certain aquatic fitness programs and events.

These additional services may make a membership worthwhile even for someone whose swimming visits alone would not reach the break-even point.

5. What Are the 2026 Membership Prices for Families and Seniors?

Columbus offers membership categories for individuals, seniors, families and senior families. Nonresidents generally pay more than Muscogee County residents.

The center's current published membership schedule includes the following prepaid options.

The city defines a regular family membership as covering two adults and up to three children living in the same household. Senior family memberships have a different eligibility rule: Both adults must be at least 55 years old, and the membership may include up to three children.

For Muscogee County residents, senior family memberships cost $110 for three months, $180 for six months and $240 for 12 months. The corresponding nonresident prices are $145, $215 and $275.

The city also lists monthly-payment prices alongside its 12-month membership options. For example, the resident single membership is advertised at $200 or $22 per month, but the website does not fully explain the payment terms.

Residents should ask whether monthly billing involves additional fees, commitments or conditions before selecting that option.

6. How Much Could a Family Save With an Annual Membership?

For families visiting regularly, the annual membership can offer greater savings than purchasing admission separately. Consider a Muscogee County household with two adults ages 18 through 54 and two children younger than 12.

At the city's daily rates, that family would pay $14 each time everyone visits. A 12-month resident family membership costs $300.

Calculations assume all four household members attend each visit, qualify for the stated resident admission rates and visit during one 12-month membership period.

In this example, the annual membership becomes cheaper on the family's 22nd visit. A household that visits once per week for 52 weeks would save $428 compared with purchasing daily admission for all four people.

However, the savings would be smaller if only one or two household members regularly use the pool. Families should compare the membership price against the visits they realistically expect to make.

The city also states that memberships and admission fees are nonrefundable, making it especially important to choose the appropriate option before paying.

7. Does the Columbus Aquatics Center Have an Olympic-Size Pool?

Yes. The Columbus Sports Council describes the facility as having an Olympic-size competition pool measuring 50 meters when configured for long-course swimming.

The pool can also be arranged for short-course swimming using movable bulkheads. Depending on its configuration, the competition area provides up to 23 lanes measuring 25 yards each or 10 lanes measuring 50 meters.

The competition pool has several notable features, including 20 movable starting blocks, diving boards at two heights and water depths ranging from approximately 5 feet to 13 feet, 1 inch.

The Sports Council lists the competition pool's water temperature as typically maintained between 74 and 76 degrees Fahrenheit. That is cooler than the warming pool, which is maintained at a higher temperature.

Both the long-course and short-course configurations are USA Swimming-certified, according to the Sports Council.

The facility has hosted events including NAIA Swimming and Diving National Championships, Georgia High School Association regional competitions and invitational meets. Public swimmers should check whether scheduled events affect lane availability.

8. Is There a Warmer Pool for Beginners and Children?

Yes. The Columbus Aquatics Center has a separate 25-yard warming pool intended to support instructional programs, aquatic activities and other swimming uses.

According to the Columbus Sports Council, its water temperature is maintained between 84 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit. That is approximately 8 to 14 degrees warmer than the published competition-pool range, depending on the temperatures being compared.

The warming pool has a zero-depth ramp entry with handrails. Its water depth ranges from approximately 3½ feet to 6 feet.

This makes it a different environment from the large competition pool, which has deeper water and a cooler published temperature range.

However, the warming pool should not be confused with a shallow children's splash pool. Its deeper areas require appropriate swimming ability and supervision, and the city does not promise unrestricted access during instructional activities.

Families seeking a particular pool, temperature or program should contact the center before traveling.

9. Can Children and Adults Take Swimming Lessons?

Columbus Parks and Recreation says its indoor pools operate year-round for swim lessons and fitness programs.

The current Aquatics Center page does not list class dates, lesson fees or open spots for this fall.

Parents and prospective adult students should call 706-225-3980 to ask about current lessons and registration requirements.

Families should also clarify whether the admission fee is included in a lesson price, whether a membership changes the cost and whether any classes are restricted by age or ability.

Without a current published course schedule, Columbus Times cannot confirm which particular lessons still have openings this season.

10. What Are the Rules for Children, Swimwear and Admission?

The Aquatics Center publishes several general rules affecting visitors. Most importantly for families, the facility does not allow children to be dropped off without appropriate supervision.

The city's current facility page specifically states that there is no drop-off service. Families should therefore plan for an adult to remain responsible for children rather than treating the center as an unattended recreation program.

Proper swimming attire is also required. The city does not provide a comprehensive list of approved garments on the main facility page, so visitors with questions about specific clothing should contact the center.

Residency discounts require identification, and the city states that admission fees and membership purchases are nonrefundable. These conditions apply regardless of whether a visitor intends to swim for only a short period.

Before visiting with a group, families should confirm whether any additional supervision, pool-access or activity restrictions apply to the planned visit.

11. Can You Swim Outdoors in Columbus During the Fall and Winter?

Columbus operates four named outdoor public pools in addition to its indoor Aquatics Center. Those facilities are Double Churches Pool, Psalmond Road Pool, Rigdon Park Pool and Shirley Winston Pool.

The Parks and Recreation Department identifies outdoor swimming as a seasonal activity, while the indoor facility operates throughout the year.

During the published outdoor swimming season, general admission for Muscogee County adults ages 18 through 54 is $4 at these pools, compared with $5 at the indoor Aquatics Center. Nonresident adult admission is $8 outdoors and $10 indoors.

The department also operates splash pads at the City Services Center and Carver Park. Those facilities are listed as free to the public during the summer.

Although the city maintains individual outdoor-pool pages with seasonal hours and prices, those listings should not be interpreted as confirmation that the outdoor pools are open in late October or November.

For someone seeking swimming access during colder months, the Aquatics Center is the city's published year-round option.

12. What Should You Know Before Your First Visit?

For first-time visitors, the simplest approach is to check the published facility hours, bring photo identification and decide whether daily admission or a membership better fits the number of expected visits.

Residents seeking the discounted Muscogee County rate should ensure their identification establishes local residency. Families should also plan for adult supervision of children and bring proper swimwear.

Anyone interested in swimming laps should ask whether the competition pool has lanes available during the planned visit. Those interested in lessons or a warmer pool should confirm instructional schedules and access arrangements.

Membership buyers should review the nonrefund policy and clarify any questions about monthly billing or the services included in their membership.

The center's contact information is:

Columbus Aquatics Center 1603 Midtown Drive Columbus, GA 31906 Phone: 706-225-3980

Official facility information: https://parks.columbusga.gov/Facilities-Centers/Pools-Splash-Pads/Id/36796

For an occasional swimmer, a $5 adult resident admission may be the easiest option. For individuals or families who expect to visit regularly, comparing the annual membership cost with expected visits could result in substantial savings.

How We Did This

Columbus Times reviewed the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department's official facility pages, current admission and membership schedules, outdoor swimming pool information and the Columbus Sports Council's facility specifications.

Membership savings were calculated using published admission and membership prices. No discounts or program availability were assumed beyond those listed by the city.

Current facility webpages were prioritized over older program materials where prices or operating hours differed. Swimming lesson dates, particular lane availability and membership billing conditions should be confirmed directly with the center.