Saanich Commonwealth Place

Negative experience: Disgusting place and management

Negative experience: Unsafe change rooms for women and children!

Negative experience: Apparently this place allows grown men in the women’s change room and shower room with children- BEWARE!!

Fantastic experience: Good facility neat and clean

Fantastic experience: 讚

Fantastic experience: Absolutely gorgeous community center, many activities and events to participate in, well clean facility. The pool is super big and there is lots to explore there such as the library. Will definitely be visiting again

Positive experience: **A Chant that Transcended the City** It started as a typical day at the Commonwealth Pool in Victoria, BC. Families splashed in the lanes, children shrieked with joy, and swimmers glided like fish through the Olympic-sized pool. But as the day wore on, something was missing — the rhythmic rise and fall of the beloved wave pool. Usually, every hour, the mechanical whirr would signal the start of artificial waves, and a delighted crowd would rush in. Today, however, there was no such sound. “TURN ON THE WAVES!” a lone voice echoed from the shallow end, breaking through the ambient noise. A few swimmers chuckled, assuming it was a joke, but the request remained unanswered. Time passed, and still, no waves stirred the still water. Soon, others joined in: “TURN ON THE WAVES!” The chant grew louder, rippling across the pool deck like the waves they were desperate to see. Lifeguards exchanged glances but said nothing. Some children on the edge of the pool began to pound their fists in rhythm, eyes hopeful, waiting for the water to rise and crash. As the hours went by and no waves came, the chant spread. Parents, teens, even elderly swimmers joined in. "TURN ON THE WAVES!" became more than a plea — it became a demand, a unified cry from a city that wanted its waves. By evening, the chant left the pool, carried out on the voices of the people who had been there. It echoed in parks, grocery stores, and down the streets of Victoria. The local news caught wind of it, and soon the entire city was chanting, “TURN ON THE WAVES!” Even those who had never set foot in the Commonwealth Pool found themselves caught up in the fervor. Days passed, and still, the waves did not come. Yet the chant only grew louder, spilling into neighboring cities and towns. It became a symbol of more than just a simple request — it represented a desire for change, a collective expression of frustration, and a strange kind of unity. Months later, the chant had spread across the nation. On television, politicians spoke over the roaring crowds, but their words were drowned out by a single, unifying cry: "TURN ON THE WAVES!" It became the anthem of the people, and musicians began composing symphonies around the rhythm of the chant. The government debated creating a holiday for the now-infamous Commonwealth Wave Pool Movement, as it came to be called. But no matter how far the chant reached, the pool remained quiet, the waves still. In the end, it didn’t matter. The waves the people wanted weren’t of water, but of unity — and those waves, once set in motion, could never be turned off.

Negative experience: Worst weight room

Negative experience: An old man pooped in the sauna and then threw it into the pool when I told a life guard he tried to drown me

Positive experience: We used the pool only. It is nice. Has a small wave pool. Has a very small hot tub, for about maybe 12 people. Waterside was closed. Has 3 other pools. One with diving boards and rope swing. Another for just lane swimming. Another thats shallower, my guess about 4 feet deep, and lane swimming and having fun with kids.

Positive experience: Management, ALL of our kids want you to FINALLY OPEN the slide. When can that be done?

Negative experience: I came here to go swimming today with my partner cause your usual pool was closed unfortunately. And I was pretty excited. But getting here. All the staff were very unpleasant and rude. We went into the wave pool and got a floating Matt for the 2 of us and we were on either side of it with out legs wrapped. Then all of a sudden we hear a lifeguard screaming at us that this is a family place. So we separated immediately and gave them no trouble. We apologized then the guy threatened to kick us out if it happened again and just kept going on after we already separated and apologized. Then a lot of the other patrons were very rude as well. Honestly just a bad experience and I’m kinda turned off from this place. Definitely won’t be back unfortunately

Negative experience: Staff say the slide is out of service for the foreseeable future.. maintenance is waiting for a part. Figure it out, Saanich taxes are through the roof! Maybe the maintenance manager should plan ahead, instead of stinking at their job. Rant over.

Positive experience: This place is great. The price point is excellent, the pools are phenomenal, and the gym is decent. Some of the equipment could use some attention, but overall not terrible. The sauna and steam room were constantly packed and should probably be expanded. Other than that, no complaints.

Fantastic experience: a very wonderful place for the whole family. everyone will be happy to be there.

Fantastic experience: Fantastic centre. Unbelievable pool. Wow!

Negative experience: Your 35$ swimming and skating pass doesn’t make any sense, I have to pay 73.50 for 2 kids and then pay 12$ for myself and my wife to supervise the kids every time ! While family pass 2 adults and 4 kids is 14.50$ ! What a smart idea!

Fantastic experience: The best place around for exercise programs of all types. The aquatics centre is amazing, a huge swimming pool with various heights of diving boards, a water slide, play areas for children of all ages. Fun for the whole family, including a well stocked public library!

Fantastic experience: Awesome facility, nice library and other meeting rooms. Admittedly, parking kinda sucks - gets full really fast.

Fantastic experience: Beautiful facilities. The wave pool is super fun. The library is a bit small, but still lovely. Great gym and lots of parking. All the staff are very nice which is an extra bonus.

Negative experience: Dated small spaces...

Positive experience: Great pool with lots of fun options but maybe don’t go during the leisure swim as a lot of things are closed. Also the water slide was out of order while we were there today. Most pools were lengths so we were mostly confined to the kiddie pool and the deep pool. Hot tub is so incredibly small for a facility this size.

Positive experience: I've always loved Commonwealth but lately the air is really cold (I know they're having air system adjustments) and I have also experienced extremely cold showers in the family rooms (the last 2 times I've been there). The shower was so cold I almost couldn't use it and the changeroom floors are pretty gross. The staff here are always amazing and I had a great time at the gym today because they were playing great music! Thanks and hoping for warmer experiences ahead!

Negative experience: Common pool spaces consistently filthy. Bandaids , earplugs , random items scattered everywhere all the time. I honestly feel like every time my foot hits the floor I’m walking away with warts guaranteed. Scheduled regular floor rinsing would go a long way here. I won’t be returning , ever.

Fantastic experience: Dana was amazing! We moved here from out of town and she was extremely friendly and welcoming. We are stoked to be able to go to this facility and have such amazing people in our community! Thanks!!!

Fantastic experience: 好

Fantastic experience: Great swimming facility with a variety of children's pools, hot tubs, steam room, high diving facilities and many options for swimming laps at various speeds.

Fantastic experience: Great public pool. The lifeguards are a hoot and the sauna is super hot. The lifeguard named shantelle is a gem.

Fantastic experience: I have been to most other recreation center in Victoria like OakBay, Esquimalt but this one has the best sauna and steam room. The sauna was hot enough (other places are not really hot) and steam room has enough steam.

Negative experience: Went to sign up for a monthly membership - not greeted nicely. Asked if I had a membership I said no so she said I needed a printed copy of my banking info - I said why? She said because of privacy I needed to give her a paper copy of my banking info. For my car insurance I can email my banking info, other things I have purchased where a place needed my banking info I have been able to email my banking info. My other option was to go online - I assume the website for Saanich to set up my credit card info to get a membership. Least to say I will go elsewhere for my membership.

Positive experience: Great swimming, pool and facility! Staff are always friendly and the pool area appears clean, etc. Was trying to find a bathing suit at the store however, the only ones that would fit fit are the “new style” where they go up your bum or close to it and no one needs to see that at my age :0)

Negative experience: Shortage of lifeguards makes it so the pool is no fun for a family swim. Slides are closed and the higher diving boards as well. Since Covid this place has not been the same. I don’t recommend this for a family leisure swim.

Negative experience: They are now limiting capacity again?? We all know covid is done and the majority of it was one big scam to usher in control tactics. Anyone with a brain has seen passed it. Shame on this pool and everyone who manages it

Fantastic experience: Swim instructors are amazing

Fantastic experience: Great place for family swimming. Kids friendly. Amazing hot tub. I love when they turn on the waves in the waves pool. Their water slide is fantastic. They also have diving boards. Their swimming lessons program is fantastic.

Fantastic experience: I love coming here to go swimming! They have nice staff, nice pools, and I love grabbing a small snack on the way out from the vending machines!

Negative experience: I hadn’t been to commonwealth in almost 15 years and was extremely disappointed with the state of it. What once was a super fun pool to swim and hangout in is now just…. disgusting. The family change rooms were absolutely disgusting - dirt all over the floors, used swim diapers in the shower stalls, it was like they never clean the change rooms or check the condition of them. The pool was no better - I counted no less than 4 used bandaids floating in the pools and on the ground in the pool area. If the cleanliness doesn’t disappoint you then the lack of features will. None of the water features were turned on, thus making the pool pretty boring.

Fantastic experience: Great facilities clean, great staff! Wave pool is fun for the whole family. Looking forward to our next visit!

Fantastic experience: This was my family's first time at the pool and wow! The kids and I had an amazing time. A very special thank you to Owen because he went above and beyond ensuring we had a great and safe time. He helped my kids with lifejackets and got us a ball to play with as well as explained where we could play and all the fun things we could do.

Fantastic experience: We went at a family today to the swimming pool at Commonwealth pool and it was fabulous! All the amenities were open and well staffed with life guards. We enjoyed our entire time there! Lots to do!

Positive experience: Great for family fun but the thing thats most unpleasent Is that even my daughter agrees With is that (1) the womens change room floor near the showers and the bathrooms is always coverd in hair and is really descusting like i know women lose a lot of hair but it seems like theres a lot of it and it sends shivers down my daughters spin (On the other hand the womens and mens bathrooms are a ROOM but when we look in the unisex/family changeroom it is a long halwaY That does not seem fair .lastly unlike other pools all the pools are warm not one semi cold pool! Thats why it is not a full five stars last of all i forgot to say i dont go in the big 50 metr length pool so for me all the pools are warm/hot but the only cold pool is the pool i normaly dont go in

Fantastic experience: I love the swimming in the pool here and the waterslide is super fun.

Fantastic experience: Great community sports centre with gym space, activity rooms, pool, and lots of programming.

Fantastic experience: Great pool! I love how many pools they have! The wave pool was especially fun. I love to go to the dry saunas and make conversation and the wet saunas to relax! The hot tubs are extra warm(not too hot)! Easily the best pool on the island

Fantastic experience: Had a great tour of this beautiful facility with Jonathan and signed my family up immediately thereafter. 2 level gym, yoga studio, spin class, swimmimg pool, indoor basketball court, skating rinks and a game room. What more could you ask for?

Fantastic experience: Amazing for kids, you can go to the toddler gym class with tonnes of toys and lots of room to play, then swim afterwards in the toddler pool that's super warm and more toys to play with, all for only $6!

Negative experience: It's unbelievable that the only pool in Victoria that's fun for kids with waves, waterslide, and diving boards has not been available for public use in over a month. It's ridiculous that we don't have another option except for YMCA and their unaffordable memberships. We have been having to drive to Duncan or Nanaimo to have a fun public swim. How is it that the biggest city on the island has no fun swims especially during the fall and winter months. Also change rooms can be very dirty. I would definitely give a better rating is you were open to the public every weekend as it is a fun pool for kids

Fantastic experience: An absolute gem of a rec center and swimming pool. Anything you'd ever need to get in shape.

Fantastic experience: Good recreation center with swimming pool. Enjoy your leisure time at an affordable price.

Negative experience: No service, no refund - My son did not even attend a full day of their Summer Camp in August, he became traumatized midday after witnessing someone attending the camp intentionally kill a lizard, then several children laughed, the whole time a camp leader standing right next to the person, the leader did nothing to address the disgusting behaviour. I had to leave work to pick my son up early, it ruined our day and week, he attended no other day, and given all of that... they repeatedly refused to provide one cent of a refund. Makes me sick to my stomach that they will take $350.00 from a single parent household then provide nothing but trauma and stress then show no responsibility for their role in the incident. I’ve stopped sending my kids here. Don’t want them to have to deal with the stress or similar incidents ever again.

Fantastic experience: I’ve been swimming there for 7 years since I came here. There are many kinds of activities for people of all ages. It's very big, bright and clean, and the staff here are very friendly.

Negative experience: Public swimming, hot tube, sauna, leisure pool are all closed on Friday evening after 6pm when is weekend and most of the people are off from work or school . Not sure how much is due to the fact that they are short staffed or poor management.

Positive experience: Awesome pool! The change rooms are a little dirty…

Fantastic experience: Very friendly here. There are also libraries, gyms, and swimming pools. Children can also learn to swim here.

Negative experience: Great swimming pool! One of the best for kids in the city for level of fun BUT..... 1) The unisex change rooms floors are disgusting with hair and mud from shoes. 2) When the free swim is over, you'll be kicked out of the pool to stand in a cold hallway while you wait for a Unisex change room to come available. 3) I believe there are 10 unisex change rooms in total which all have terrible water pressure and are often too hot for children. 4) There does not seem to be a limit as to how many people they allow to swim at once creating a somewhat "unpleasant" and chaotic experience when it's busy, which is always it seems. We gave up after today's swim waiting 10 minutes in the freezing hallway with my daughter. She got changed in the hallway under a towel and I got changed out in the parking lot. I recommend avoiding this pool during peak hours/season. Try Oak Bay Pool, Esquimalt or Juan de Fuca for a less "unpleasant" recreational swim.

Fantastic experience: A fantastic pool for families, with a huge slide, great wave pool, lengths, even a 10m dive tower.

Fantastic experience: This is my favourite pool in the Greater Victoria area. They have a water slide and a wave pool that are fun no mater what age you are.

Fantastic experience: It is great. Not too busy, fast workout.

Fantastic experience: I have many fond memories of this place as a kid.They have many different pools and diving boards for all ages and skill levels with a pirate ship and wave pool for kids.

Fantastic experience: Just experienced Commonwealth Place for the first time. The swimming area is the best I’ve ever visited. All the staff were friendly and helpful and patiently answered my questions. They had no problem with me using my cane around the pool deck and I was able to find places to lay it down while I swam that weren’t too far from the stairs into the pool. I will definitely be back.

Fantastic experience: I have many fond memories of this place as a kid.They have many different pools and diving boards for all ages and skill levels with a pirate ship and wave pool for kids.

Fantastic experience: Great pool facilities with a wave pool, pirate ship, slide, diving boards, hot tub, kiddie pool, sauna, and more.

Fantastic experience: Awesome place for families to have a relaxed time.

Fantastic experience: Very quiet today compared to a week ago.

Fantastic experience: Great time swimming with my boy

Fantastic experience: From friendly staff to awesome facilities this place is the best!

Fantastic experience: Great pool. The kids had a blast, even if they were a few inches too short for the waterslide.

Fantastic experience: Been good to me so far

Fantastic experience: The pools are great. I like the competition pools for lap swimming, either 25 or 50 metres. Change rooms are good and clean. Pleasant staff. Great that there is also a library here. And a mailbox. And nearby buses. The flowerbeds are kept attractive.

Fantastic experience: I just got my membership again for Commonwealth pool. I have to be brutally honest.... the pandemic has made me realize how much I've missed the gym and utilizing the pool afterwards. I've always had a positive experience here. And it is damn good being able to utilize the gym again. If you haven't checked out the services there!!! I highly recommend it you got nothing to loose right?? ❤️

Fantastic experience: Great rec center with really good staff to help you best place in the city.

Fantastic experience: The best pool faculty on island

Fantastic experience: Great place for swimming, family time. Friendly staff!

Fantastic experience: Very nice and helpful staff :) Nice facility

Fantastic experience: Great aquatics facility. Natural light makes such a huge difference, it's a pleasure to be on this deck. Staff are wonderful, very professional and helpful. Can't wait for the next event here.

Positive experience: Used to be able to to down the water slide with parents and toddler I guess not anymore, slightly disappointing

Negative experience: Spring break and the place is empty. I called ahead to make sure the waterslide and wave pool were up and running and was told they were ongoing all day. Drove 30 minutes and neither are operating today. Guess it wasn't clear to anyone from the website with the spring break schedule. My kids were the only ones in the pool and a little bored, playing with the foam toys, the equally bored looking lifeguard kept yelling at them not to play on the mats or whack the foam toys, which i had a hard time blaming them for: Nothing else to do and no one to play with, 6 pm Thursday evening, mid-spring break.... Beautiful pool, couldn't enjoy it.

Fantastic experience: Love the gym and pool.

Fantastic experience: Nice pool and staff.

Fantastic experience: They have the second to best water slides after the Langford ymca, but for everything else it’s my favourite swimming pool

Negative experience: It's nice to talk/visit with your friends, but get off the equipment while doing so as others want to use the equipment. The same is true for thise using their cell phones.

Fantastic experience: Great facilities included 50 meter swimming pool, gym, library and coffee shop with the great coffee and food. Very well maintain building

Fantastic experience: Fantastic facility! There's something for everyone in this large complex of pools, saunas, hottub, gymnasium, workout gym, and even a library! Lots of friendly well trained staff. Family change rooms for those that need it. $7 per adult for a day pass - so cheap! Highly recommended.

Fantastic experience: Drop in Archery is amazing! As beginners we all had so much help from the two instructors Ellen & Greg - using quality bows, arrows and targets, all suited to each of our needs. Will return as often as possible as this was a rewarding and enjoyable experience!

Fantastic experience: Very nice pool

Fantastic experience: Gym and pool are great

Positive experience: Covid place the spectators far away

Negative experience: They don’t follow the Vaccine Passport policy, we were allowed in without anyone checking, even at the help desk.In the waiting room area there was an employee - from Saanich Commonwealth- not wearing a mask and coughed while walking by us. They told us he was mask exempt. Not exactly the kind of place one wants to be in if they’re not following regulations.

Positive experience: Great swimming pool weight room fitness classes sauna hot tub steam room wave pool and kids pool.. Olympic size swimming pool.. Public library inside.. snack bar fitness clothing retail

Positive experience: Quite possibly the most world-class swimming facility in BC. This was built as the venue for the aquatic events of the 1994 Commonwealth Games. Has a lot for those pursuing swimming and diving. 50m pool and diving towers for training and competition. Also has some top swimming and diving clubs. The recreational pools are also top notch with one pool shallow enough to play pool volleyball, a wave pool, a mini-galleon and a waterfall. Also a great hot tub to relax in. Library is also adjacent to the pool.

Negative experience: Swimming lengths in the comp pool, was way too cold!! I know its cold for high intensity competition/training, but for the average joe just wanting to do lengths, its way too cold!!

Fantastic experience: amazing pool with so much to offer for the kids in the swimming programs

Fantastic experience: Lots of different pools and fun for kids and adults.

Fantastic experience: The staff at this venue are such a pleasure to deal with and readily available to assist you with all queries big and small.

Fantastic experience: Awesome place. Can't wait for it to open another phase

Fantastic experience: Very helpful and courteous staff in weight room front desk. Pandemic protocols very much in place and effective.

Fantastic experience: Génial moderne et accessible

Fantastic experience: Alison, the aquatics director is amazing! She has been so helpful providing me with information on how accessible the Commonwealth Place Pool is! My boyfriend was recently in an accident that has him in a wheelchair, we are so happy that this pool is open during covid as hydrotherapy is providing much benefit to him. The lifeguards and the whole staff are amazing! It is such a blessing to be able to go to this pool during these crazy times.

Fantastic experience: Wonderfully kind, accommodating and attentive lifeguarding staff, thank-you all so much for making my visits to swim welcoming and convenient, it sure helped during a difficult injury rehab process.

Fantastic experience: Wonderfully kind, accommodating and attentive lifeguarding staff, thank-you all so much for making my visits to swim welcoming and convenient, it sure helped during a difficult injury rehab process.