The Champagne Fitness Centre is located in a historic downtown building, just a stone’s throw from the ByWard Market. It houses a 22.86m (25 yards), four-lane pool, weight and cardio areas, sauna, and a mezzanine over the pool where boxing programs are held. The pool area features a large tile mural called Bathing in Champagne.

Officially the Champagne Bath is an historic public bath located in Ottawa (Ontario), Canada. It can be found at 321 King Edward Avenue, Lower Town.

The structure was originally built to improve the hygiene of the predominantly working-class residents of the area. Many of them did not have baths at home. The structure also housed a library. The building was built in 1921. It was completed in 1924. Werner Ernst Noffke designed the building. It is a combination of the Spanish Colonial Revival as well as Prairie Styles. Named after Napoleon Champagne, the Ottawa mayor. It was Ottawa’s very first municipal swimming lane, and one of the first indoor pools in Canada. It was also unique in that it used salted water, meaning it didn’t need to be chlorinated. The Plant Bath was constructed on the west side of town.

 

It was separated by sex from 1967, with separate ground-level entrances for men and women. Although the facility was popular for many years it has seen a decline in usage over time. After the Le Patro facility was completed in the 1980s, the city suggested closing the Champagne Bath. The city decided to renovate the facility instead after public protest. It cost approximately two million dollars. The renovated facility was opened in 1990.

Features and amenities

  • Change Rooms – gender-specific

  • Parking is free

  • On site parking

  • Sauna

Accessibility features

  • Change rooms

  • Elevator/Lift

  • Entrance/Exit

  • Pool

  • Reception desks

  • Signage

  • Stairs

  • Toilets

Facility Reviews

  • You can swim for hours in the adult lane every day. 

  • The water temperature is between 25˚C and 27˚C. This is unlike other city-operated pools which can get too hot. It couldn’t be better – I swim here when I visit Ottawa.

  • I swam today and was humbled by other older people who were willing to help. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful, providing tons of information.

  • Excellent community gym with weight room, lap pool and training area. It is clean and comfortable, and it is well-maintained. It’s small so you can avoid the kids rush hour to the pool. The same applies to the weight room. 

  • Very friendly staff. 

  • It is a great community gym. There are many weight machines and a good selection. It’s also not crowded when I go. 

  • Amazing location, and it is very clean. Although the change rooms are tiny, it is not a problem. 

  • Phenomenal facility. Sunny, warm, bright, and a $5 drop in tax-in to go swimming. They have yearly passes for seniors that are ridiculously cheap as well.

 

Good read.

Getting There

From Ottawa Home & Garden to Champagne Fitness Centre

 

 

Driving Directions from Champagne Fitness Centre to Canterbury Community Association: Take St. Patrick St/Ottawa Regional Rd 44, Ottawa Regional Rd 19 and Industrial Ave/Ottawa Regional Rd 30 to Arch St. Continue on Arch St to your destination

From Champagne Fitness Centre to Canterbury Community Association

Head to the next Ottawa Ont Public Swimming Pool: Canterbury Community Association

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