Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre

Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre

Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre is located in the Riverside/Leslieville neighbourhood of Toronto and is open to the public as a "Free Centre". The centre has a variety of facilities including a gymnasium, indoor swimming pools (a 25-metre pool and a children's pool), a multi-purpose room, a games room and a skateboard area. Sports offered at the centre include swimming (in various classes, freestyle, co-ed, lifeguard and swim team), fitness, skating (especially in winter), youth team sports, and after-school programs.

Programs & Activities

1. Swimming and Pool Programs: The center has two indoor pools—one large 25-meter pool and one for younger children. A variety of classes and programs are offered, including freestyle swimming, senior swimming, lane swimming, Aquafit classes for adults and seniors, swim lessons (levels 1-9), preschool classes (levels 1-3), Swim Patrol, Swim Guardian, Synchronized Swim, Competitive Swim Team, Junior Lifeguard Club classes, and multiple Lifeguard courses.
2. Free “Stay and Play” Program for Younger Children: This fun and play program for children up to 5 years old is held in the gym or a designated room. Parents are responsible for supervising children.
3. Active8 Program for Adults with Special Developmental Needs: This program includes 8 recreational components for adults with developmental disabilities, including: nutrition, group games, crafts, swimming, workshops, community walks, drama, and group sports. These classes are offered to people over the age of 19 and are typically delivered in 9-week sessions
4. Drop-in Sports, Youth, and Fitness Programs: This center is known as a city-wide “Free Center” and offers programs such as swimming, youth sports, after-school games, fitness, and arts and social activities for all ages, from children to adults.
5. Specific training courses such as Pleasure, First Aid and Lifeguarding: In addition to swimming, the center offers courses such as Lifeguard training, Swim Team, and even First Aid or CPR certifications (including specialized and advanced swimming and Lifeguarding courses).

Key Features & Amenities

• Pools: Two indoor pools — a large 25-meter pool with 6 lanes and a smaller pool for toddlers or children — some sources also report a relatively warm water temperature (around 31 °C).
• There is a gymnasium, multi-purpose room, game room, kitchen, and dressing rooms inside the building.
• There is a skateboard area inside the complex and an indoor/outdoor rink connected to the surrounding park.
• Two tennis courts
• A soccer pitch
• A basketball court with 4 nets
• A baseball diamond
• A lit hockey rink
• A multi-purpose sports field
• Lawn and children's play area
• A wading pool is in the park next to the center.
• Washroom facilities
• Change rooms
• Water fountain

Book now

To book a Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre in Toronto, you must first register with the City of Toronto’s new online system. Once you have created an account, you can use the “Online Reservations” section to make reservations for various spaces in the complex, such as the pool, gym or tennis courts. For drop-in programs such as swimming or fitness, you can use the “Reserve a Spot” system, which allows you to reserve a free time and if you do not show up within 5 minutes of the start time, your spot will be given to someone else. For more information and detailed instructions, see the Service Usage Guide.

Location & Accessibility & Contact & Support

1. Address: 870 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON M4M 3G9, Canada

2. Metro: Queen Street East Station is a short walk away.

3. Bus: There are several bus stops around Queen Street East and close to downtown.

4. Hours:

• Monday to Thursday: 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM
• Friday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

5. Phone: (416) 392-0751

6. Website: jimmiesimpson[dot]ca

FAQs

Do I need to register to use the Drop-in programs?

Yes, for Drop-in programs such as swimming, skating or fitness, you must use the City of Toronto’s online system to reserve a time slot. A reservation ensures that your spot is reserved.

Are there free programs for youth?

Yes, the centre offers free programs for youth ages 13 to 24. These programs include dedicated spaces with amenities such as Wi-Fi, televisions, game consoles, music recording studios and programs such as photography, hairdressing, yoga and DJing.