Mentor’s indoor swimming pool is shown above. (Credit: City of Mentor)

By Ken Drenten

Want to find some warm, relaxing pool time – even when it’s cold or raining outside? You don’t need to book a stay at a hotel or go to an expensive waterpark. There are many municipal indoor pools in Ohio that offer day rates to non-residents.

These indoor pools are typically part of community recreation centers that offer many other amenities. If you’re a non-resident, you’ll probably pay a slightly higher rate, but if you’re only spending part of a day, it’s not expensive. The cost is a lot less than a waterpark or hotel. And some of these pools have pretty impressive features.

So here are some public indoor pools in Ohio – be sure to check websites and make a phone call before traveling a distance to one of these places. You will want to be sure that you can use the facility without a membership or residence in that community.

You can find indoor pools listed in Dusty Tires.

Berea Recreation Center — The indoor pool at the Berea Recreation Center is 3 feet 6 inches deep in the shallow end and 7 feet deep in the deep end, and is  kept at approximately 85 degrees Fahrenheit. A lap lane is available during adult and open swim times. During class times, the pool is available to only those in the class. A sauna and spa (whirlpool) are available in the pool area for use by those 15 and over only. 451 Front St., Berea (440) 826-5890.

Columbus Aquatics Center — The Columbus Aquatics Center is home to six 25-yard swim lanes, an open area for casual swimming, a separate baby pool and a diving well with 1-meter and 3-meter diving boards. 1160 Hunter Ave., Columbus (614) 645-3129.

Dublin Community Recreation Center –Dublin’s recreation complex includes an 11-lane competition pool, leisure pool, lazy river, waterslide, spa; also offers water fitness classes, group swim lessons and private leisure pool parties. 5600 Post Road, Dublin (614) 410-4550.  

Greater Dayton Recreation Center — Dayton’s recreation center includes a family aquatic indoor pool, computer lab, fitness room, gymnasium, locker rooms, multipurpose room, computer lab and walking track. 2021 W. Third St., Dayton (937) 333-4732.

Groveport Aquatic Center — Relax or swim some laps in an indoor 145,000-gallon pool that is complete with zero-depth entry leisure area, frog slide (for children 10 years of age and under), lazy river, 25 meter lap pool and lounge chairs. The water temperature is kept between 83 and 85 degrees. Other features: outdoor aquatic center/water park, gymnasiums, indoor track, fitness center, much more.  7370 Groveport Road, Groveport (614) 836-2255.

Hilliard Recreation and Wellness Center – A new recreation center, The Well, is scheduled to open in summer 2025 and will include an indoor lap pool, recreation activity pool, water slide and spa, along with many other features, including  a gymnasium, indoor running track, fitness and weight room, aerobic dance and spin studios, classrooms, a 240-person community events room, commercial kitchen, child watch area and outdoor patio. Located at Scioto Darby and Alton Darby Creek roads. (614) 876-5200.

Independence Civic Center — This facility has indoor and outdoor swimming pools. The indoor pool is open year-round and includes a six-lane main pool, an activity pool and whirlpool. 6363 Selig Drive, Independence.

Kettering Recreation Complex — The indoor pool at Kettering Recreation Complex is an 8-lane, 25-yard swimming pool with diving boards. The pool hosts many activities including lap swimming, swim lessons, water exercise classes and adaptive aquatic classes. The pool is equipped with a hydraulic chair lift for improved accessibility. The pool area includes whirlpool, sauna and steam room. 2900 Glengarry Drive, Kettering (937) 296-2587.

Licking County Family YMCA — This facility has indoor pool, outdoor pool, 8 lane competition lap pool, warm water pool. Other features: strength/cardio equipment, sauna, steam room, gymnasium, indoor track, racquetball/handball courts. 470 W. Church St., Newark (740) 345-9622.

Medina Recreation Center — This recreation center offers two indoor pools for competition pool and leisure. Leisure pool includes Jungle Cove waterpark features, hot tub, Riptide current channel, lap lanes and waterslide. 855 Weymouth Road, Medina (330) 721-6900.

Mentor Community Recreation Center — This is one of the largest facilities of its kind in Northeast Ohio and includes indoor and outdoor swimming pools, an indoor soccer field, basketball, tennis, racquetball, and pickleball courts, cardiovascular and weight training areas, group exercise rooms, a Kids Corner and more. 6000 Heisley Road, Mentor (440) 205-3608.

Muskingum County Family YMCA — This center has an indoor 8-lane competition lap pool and warm water therapy pool. Other features include sauna, steam room, gymnasium, strength/cardio equipment, group classes, personal training. 1425 Newark Road, Zanesville (740) 454-4767.

Norwalk Ernsthausen Recreation Center — This facility has two indoor and one outdoor pool. Indoors, the facility has a warm-water 88-degree therapy pool with a handicap accessible entrance ramp, and a six-lane 25 yard competition designed pool with starting blocks and handicapped accessible entrance ramp. There is also a spa area for adults with 4-person whirlpool, steam room and dry sauna. Outdoors, there is a 7,200 square foot zero-depth entrance play pool with a fountain, splash pad, shade umbrellas, 150-foot spiral slide, sand pit and playground. 100 Republic St., Norwalk (419) 663-6775.

Rocky River Recreation Center — This complex has an indoor aquatic center and outdoor pool with Water Zone, offering swimming programs and lessons for all levels and ages. Other features of the rec center include an elevated track, indoor basketball courts and fitness center. 21012 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River (440) 895-2599.

Westerville Community Center — This impressive center has three separate indoor pools: leisure pool with water playground, lap lanes, water current section, a separate warm water pool, and 8-lane lap/competition pool. 350 N. Cleveland Road, Westerville (614) 901-6500.

Westlake Recreation Center — The Recreation Center offers five indoor pools, including a lap pool, a diving well, a children’s play pool, a lazy river and slides. 28955 Hilliard Blvd., Westlake (440) 808-5700.

Ken Drenten is creator and editor of Dusty-Tires.com, a travel blog for out-of-the-ordinary places in Ohio.

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