SWIM AT FWCC
Splash into The Federal Way Community Center and enjoy our public pools!
We are unable to accommodate groups of 10 or more people without prior approval by FWCC staff. Large groups may require a facility rental.
Whether you’re looking to swim laps, join a class, or just have fun in the water with family, the Federal Way Community Center has something for everyone. We offer lap swimming, open swim times, and water classes for all ages and skill levels, making it easy for everyone to enjoy the pool. Our lifeguards are here to keep things safe, and the pools are clean and ready whenever you are. Come visit the FWCC and enjoy some time in the water right here in the heart of Federal Way.
Pool Temperatures:
- Lap Pool: 82°F
- Leisure Pool: 86°F
- Hot Tub: 102°F



UPCOMING POOL SCHEDULE CHANGES & NOTICES
- The Lap Pool will be closed to the public on Saturday, June 6, from 8:00–11:00 AM for a Pacific Waves Synchronized Swim Club Show.
Coming to Open Swim? Please read the following…
- New process and check in procedures beginning June 15. Read Below!
- Members can now check in 30 minutes before Open Swim begins.
- Non-members can now check in 15 minutes before Open Swim begins.
- Please note: Members must check in during the member check-in window to receive early access. Once non-member check-in begins, members who have not yet checked in will need to join the regular line. Members bringing non-members with them will also need to wait until non-member check-in begins to purchase day passes for those guests. Checking in as a member 30 minutes before open swim does not guarantee space in the pool for any non-members in your group.
- Please review all Pool Rules at the bottom of this page before visiting.
- Photo ID is required for non-members ages 12+.
- All pools will begin shutting down 10 minutes prior to facility closing time.
- Not an FWCC member? Save time! Fill out your guest pass online, print it, and bring it with you.
* POOL WAITLIST + CAPACITY POLICY *
Our pool waitlist is capped at 20 people. We clear the entire waitlist before adding any additional names. This means that all 20 individuals must be admitted before a new waitlist is started. We do not add people to the waitlist as others leave—please check back after the current waitlist has been cleared.
THE LEISURE POOL
A leisure pool with two-story water slide, Aquatic Play Unit / Splash Area, and a 110-foot current channel.
Please note the following for the Leisure Pool:
- The waterslide is currently only open during Open Swim times.
- Leisure Pool capacity is 80.
- Click here to view an interactive pool map
| Day | Time | Activity | Notes |
|---|
Pool Schedules subject to change.
THE LAP POOL
A six-lane, 25-yard lap pool with a 1-meter diving board. The pool is home to local swim teams, a master’s group and a synchronized swimming group.
Please note the following for the Lap Pool:
- The Diving Board open during Open Swim Saturday and Sunday.
- Lap Pool capacity is 70.
During designated Lap Swim times, individuals must engage in active lap swimming for exercise. Those who are using the pool for recreational purposes will be requested to relocate to the leisure pool if it is accessible.
| Day | Time | Activity | Notes |
|---|
Pool Schedules subject to change.
Swim Lessons
The Federal Way Community Center is proud to offer swimming lessons for swimmers of all ages and levels!
Our instructors are happy to provide toddlers, kids, teens, and adults of all abilities with a program that has a clear lesson plan and progression track to see your achievements as you learn! FWCC swim lessons help individuals build self-confidence in the water and provide knowledge of water safety! We also offer swim lesson scholarships!
We offer Gift Certificates for our swim lessons. See the front desk for more information.
Questions about swimming lessons? Contact our Assistant Aquatics Coordinator, Ty!
LIFEGUARDING COURSES & JOB OPENINGS
Looking to become a lifeguard? The Federal Way Community Center offers courses that are designed to ensure that you are properly trained and prepared when every moment matters. We offer multiple courses throughout the year so keep checking back to reserve your spot!
Federal Way Stingrays Summer Swim Team
The Federal Way Stingrays Summer Swim Team provides opportunities for swimmers of all ages to improve their swimming abilities and compete in various swim meets. The team focuses on promoting a positive and inclusive environment, fostering teamwork, and developing the individual potential of each swimmer. We offer structured training led by experienced coaches who provide instruction in various swimming techniques and strategies.
Questions?
Contact our Assistant Aquatics Coordinator and Stringrays Coach!

FAQS & Aquatic Program Descriptions
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
To manage capacity and ensure fairness, our pool waitlist is capped at 20 people at a time. Once the waitlist is full, we do not add additional names until the entire list has been cleared.
This means that all 20 individuals must be admitted into the pool before we start a new waitlist. We do not add names one-by-one as people leave. This helps keep the process organized and avoids confusion at the front desk.
If the waitlist is full when you arrive, we recommend checking back later, once the current list is cleared, we’ll begin a new one on a first-come, first-served basis.
All children under the age of 8 must be have an adult in the water at all times directly supervising them.
Children wearing life jackets must have an adult with them at all times, and are not allowed in the deep end of the pool.
All riders of the big slide must be at least 48 inches tall. They must ride the slide feet first on their back or bottom and may not use any kind of Lifejacket or floatation device.
Persons under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult/guardian of at least 16 years of age to enter the Hot Tub.
If the child is 3 years of age and under it is required that the child uses an approved swim diaper while using the facility. Diapers other than swim diapers tend to leak when placed in a swimming pool.
To ensure a safe and focused learning environment, portions of the pool are temporarily closed during swim lessons. This reduces distractions, keeps class sizes manageable, and allows instructors to give students their full attention. However, the entire pool isn’t always closed (depending on the time and day), areas like the current channel may remain open for other activities. Please check the current pool schedule for availability.
The leisure pool depths vary. The lazy river is consistently 3 feet 6 inches deep. The deepest part of our Leisure pool is 4 feet 5 inches in our lap lane area. View an interactive map of our pools here.
Before Your Visit Please Review Our Facility Guidelines & Rules
What Should I Bring?
- Picture ID is required for anyone ages 12 and up.
- Fill out the guest waiver on arrival
- Bring a 1.7/9” padlock
- Swimming? Bring a towel!
- We accept cash, Visa, or MasterCard.
Family Cabanas, Men’s, and Women’s Locker Rooms
Age Guidelines
- Children 11 years of age or younger must be accompanied by a responsible individual (16 years or older).
- Children 5 years of age or older must use the gender-appropriate locker room or one of the family changing rooms.
- Cabanas are first and foremost reserved for family use. If you do not have children with you, please use the locker rooms during busy family times:
- School Year Hours: Monday–Friday, 11am–1pm and 5–9pm
- Summer Hours: 1–4pm and 5–9pm
- Saturdays: 11am–5pm
- Sundays: 12–4:30pm
Rules
- Please leave the ADA cabana available for ADA members and guests.
- Take a cleansing shower before entering one of the pools or the spa.
- No running or horseplay in the locker room.
- Food, drinks, glass, and gum are not permitted in the locker room.
- No loitering in the locker room.
- Lock your belongings. Locks are available for purchase at the front counter.
- Personal belongings should be secured in a locker and not left in public areas.
- We are not responsible for lost or stolen items.
- Lockers are for day use only. Remove your lock each day and take it with you.
- Management will cut any remaining locks and place locker contents in the facility’s lost and found.
- No cell phones, electronic devices, tape recorders, or photo devices are allowed in the locker rooms.
- Report any inappropriate behavior to a staff member.
Steam Room & Dry Sauna Guidelines
Please follow all posted rules. Thank you.
Age Requirements
- Steam Room: Users must be 18 years of age or older.
- Sauna: Users under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a responsible individual 16 years of age or older.
Health & Safety
- Limit usage to 15 minutes or less per session.
- Long exposure to high temperatures may result in nausea, dizziness, or fainting.
- Exposure to heat while under the influence of alcohol, narcotics, drugs, or certain medications can lead to serious health risks.
- Elderly individuals, pregnant women, and those with medical conditions should consult a physician before use.
- Individuals with communicable diseases or open sores are not permitted to use the steam room or sauna.
- Take a cleansing shower before entering the steam room.
General Rules for Steam Room & Dry Sauna
- Wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Street clothes are not allowed.
- Glass containers are not permitted.
- Cell phones, electronic devices, tape recorders, and photo devices are not allowed.
- Reading materials are not permitted inside.
- No exercising inside the steam room or sauna.
- No shaving or waxing in the steam room.
- Do not pour liquids or add substances to heating elements in the sauna.
- Essential oils and fragrances are not allowed.
- Do not tamper with thermostats or other equipment.
Lap Pool Guidelines
Age Guidelines
- Children under the age of 8 must be actively supervised by an adult (16 years of age or older) in the water and be within arm’s reach at all times.
- Children under the age of 3 must wear a swim diaper when using the pool. All diapers should be changed at the baby changing stations and disposed of in the locker rooms.
Rules
- No one is allowed in the pool unless there is a lifeguard on duty.
- Appropriate swimming attire is required in the pool (no jeans, undergarments, or loose-fitting clothing).
- Running, pushing, horseplay, and abusive language are not allowed.
- Only feet first entries are allowed except in designated diving areas.
- Toys and other recreational equipment are allowed with the approval of the lifeguard.
- No person under the influence of alcohol or drugs is allowed to use the facility, and tobacco use is restricted to outside areas.
- Food or drinks are not allowed on the pool deck. Plastic water bottles are permitted.
- Cleansing shower is required before entering the pool or re-entering the pool after using the spa, sauna, or steam bath.
- Anyone with seizure, heart, or circulatory problems should swim with a buddy.
- Spectators are allowed only in designated areas.
- Per Health Department regulations, anyone who has been ill with vomiting or diarrhea within the last two weeks or has a communicable disease is prohibited from using the facility.
- Report all incidents or accidents immediately to one of the facility staff.
- Use of special greens in the pool may be restricted due to facility programming.
- Any other guidelines deemed necessary for the safety and comfort of the patrons will be enforced.
- Those choosing not to follow facility rules will be asked to leave the facility.
Leisure Pool Guidelines
Age Guidelines
- Children under the age of 8 must be actively supervised by an adult (16 years of age or older) in the water and be within arm’s reach at all times.
- Children under the age of 3 must wear a swim diaper when using the pool. All diapers should be changed at the baby changing stations and disposed of in the locker rooms.
Rules
- No one is allowed in the pool unless there is a lifeguard on duty.
- Appropriate swimming attire is required in the pool (no jeans, undergarments, or loose-fitting clothing).
- Running, pushing, horseplay, and abusive language are not allowed.
- Only feet first entries are allowed. No diving.
- Toys and other recreational equipment are allowed with the approval of the lifeguard.
- No person under the influence of alcohol or drugs is allowed to use the facility, and tobacco use is restricted to outside areas.
- Food or drinks are not allowed on the pool deck. Plastic water bottles are permitted.
- Cleansing shower is required before entering the pool or re-entering the pool after using the spa, sauna, or steam bath.
- Anyone with seizure, heart, or circulatory problems should swim with a buddy.
- Spectators are allowed only in designated areas.
- Per Health Department regulations, anyone who has been ill with vomiting or diarrhea within the last two weeks or has a communicable disease is prohibited from using the facility.
- Report all incidents or accidents immediately to one of the facility staff.
- Use of special greens in the pool may be restricted due to facility programming.
- Any other guidelines deemed necessary for the safety and comfort of the patrons will be enforced.
- Those choosing not to follow facility rules will be asked to leave the facility.
Hot Tub Guidelines
Age Guidelines
- Persons under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult (16 years or older).
- Children under the age of 6 are not allowed.
- Persons wearing a diaper of any kind are not allowed in the hot tub.
Children may be asked to leave the spa if they:
- Are wearing a swim diaper.
- Continue to put their head under water after being reminded once.
- Splash or are disruptive to other users.
- Enter and exit more than 3 times in 30 minutes.
Rules
- Take a cleansing shower prior to entering a pool or exiting the hot tub.
- Do not put your head below the surface of the water while using the hot tub.
- Recommended length of stay in the hot tub is a maximum of 15 minutes.
- Prolonged use may result in fainting or dizziness.
- Pregnant women, elderly persons, and persons suffering from heart disease, diabetes, or high/low blood pressure should not enter the hot tub without prior medical consultation and permission from their doctor.
- Do not use the spa if you have a disease that can be transmitted by water or have been ill with diarrhea or vomiting in the last 2 weeks.
- Do not use the hot tub while under the influence of alcohol, tranquilizers, or other drugs that cause drowsiness or that raise/lower blood pressure.
- The maximum capacity in the hot tub is 16.
Waterslide Guidelines
Rules
- Maximum operational load: 1 person, 300 lbs.
- Riders must be 48 inches in height or taller to ride the slide. Patrons less than 48 inches in height are not permitted to ride down with parent or guardian.
- Swimwear with exposed zippers, buckles, rivets, or metal ornamentation are not permitted. Life jackets and other flotation devices are prohibited on the slide.
- Riders shall remain in the holding area until signaled by the slide attendant before proceeding down the slide.
- Riders must ride the slide in the face up, feet first position at all times.
- Upon “splash down,” riders shall exit the pool immediately.
- No stopping in the tube.
- For safety reasons, pregnant women, elderly persons, and persons with heart conditions or back trouble should not ride the slide.
- The Plunge Pool must be kept clear at all times when the slide is in operation. Parents/Guardians may not catch riders at the bottom of the slide.
Aquatic Course Desciptions
Children and Adults alike will enjoy playing in the Leisure Pool, floating around the Lazy River and riding the 2 story slide. Open Swim in the Lap Pool includes enjoy swimming laps, taking a plunge off the diving board, and playing basketball. All children under the age of 8 must be have an adult in the water at all times directly supervising them.
Swimmers of all ages and abilities can take advantage of the 6 lane, 25 yard Lap Pool. Fast, medium and slow swimmers alike can find a lane to swim in. Feel free to use our aquatic equipment to help you better meet your fitness needs.
Family swim is an opportunity for younger children and adults to come in and use the pool while it is less busy/hectic. We have the river and play structure turned on at this time. The water slide is not turned on during Family Swim.
Swim time recommended for individuals aged 62 and over.
The Lap Pool features 4 lanes for lap swimming and 2 lanes dedicated to individual water exercise, perfect for building strength and endurance at your own pace.
The Leisure Pool during this time includes access to the current channel for water walking, a gentle and effective form of low-impact cardio. Seniors can also enjoy other areas of the pool for light stretching, mobility work, and more.
Click here for more exercises to benefits seniors in the pool!
Shallow Water Aerobics
A slower-paced water aerobics class in the Leisure Pool that combines aerobics, strength building, range of motion, and flexibility into one fun session. No swimming experience is needed.
Deep Water Aerobics
Held in the Lap Pool, where water depth ranges from 3½ to 12½ feet. Using flotation belts, participants perform exercises that eliminate the effects of gravity while using water resistance to build strength and improve flexibility. Weaker swimmers can participate in the shallow end for the same benefits.
Water walking is a low-impact exercise in our lazy river which involves walking with or against the gentle current of the river.
Overall, water walking is a versatile and accessible activity that can benefit people of all ages and fitness levels. Its low-impact nature, combined with its physical and mental health benefits, makes it an excellent choice for those looking to stay active and healthy.

