How Arnprior Locals Can Maximize Their Nick Smith Centre Membership This Winter

What Does the Nick Smith Centre Actually Offer Arnprior Residents?

The Nick Smith Centre sits right on McNab Street — the beating heart of Arnprior's recreation scene. You get two ice pads, a fitness centre, community rooms, and a full-sized pool. For locals paying monthly dues, that's a lot of square footage to ignore. This guide breaks down exactly how Arnprior residents squeeze every dollar of value from their memberships during the winter months.

What Are the Ice Pad Schedules Like at the Nick Smith Centre?

Public skating runs most weekday mornings and Sunday afternoons — but here's the thing: the schedule flips without warning during hockey tournaments. Arnprior locals know to check the town's recreation page before lacing up. Stick-and-puck sessions (for practicing shots without a game) happen Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 1:30 p.m. — perfect for shift workers.

Figure skating clubs dominate weekday evenings. That said, the second pad usually stays open for casual skaters. The catch? You need to book ahead through the front desk on 13 Banting Drive. Don't just show up expecting ice time.

Is the Fitness Centre Worth Using Over a Gym in Kanata?

Absolutely — if you live in Arnprior proper. The drive to Kanata costs you forty minutes round-trip (plus gas at today's prices). The Nick Smith Centre's weight room carries Precor treadmills, free weights up to 75 pounds, and cable machines. It's not flashy. It's functional.

Worth noting: the centre runs winter fitness challenges starting mid-January. Last year, Arnprior residents tracked their workouts for six weeks — winners got free program vouchers.

How Do Arnprior Families Use the Pool and Programs?

The pool stays heated to 29°C year-round — a blessing when Arnprior hits those -20°C stretches in February. Lane swimming runs 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. weekdays. After that, it's public swim until the after-school rush hits at 3:30 p.m.

Here's where membership really pays off: program discounts. Arnprior locals save 25% on registered activities — swim lessons, senior fitness, even summer camp pre-registration. Browse the current guide and you'll see the member prices marked in green.

The aquafit classes draw regulars from across town. You'll recognize faces — retirees from the Point, young parents from Daniel Street, shift workers from the mill. It's community infrastructure, not just a pool.

What About the Spaces Nobody Books?

Community rooms sit mostly empty weekday mornings. Arnprior community groups can reserve them for $15/hour — free if you're a member running a non-profit activity. The squash court (yes, there's one tucked behind the weight room) rarely sees action before 4 p.m. Bring your own racquet.

The walking track upstairs overlooks both ice pads. Three laps equals one kilometre. Great for parents watching kids at practice — or anyone avoiding icy sidewalks on Madawaska Boulevard.

Your membership isn't just gym access. It's a stake in Arnprior's shared spaces. Use them before the snow melts.