Algonquin College Recreation and Athletics: the ARC, Intramurals and the Wolves
The Algonquin Students' Association runs recreation at both campuses. Most full-time students already pay for access in their fees.
Sources checked September 30, 2026. View sources
The Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre
The ARC is a 125,000-square-foot facility in Building X on the Ottawa Campus. It's open only to current students, staff and alumni. Guests and the general public can't buy memberships.
Your membership covers the fitness equipment, turf training area, climbing and bouldering walls, group fitness classes, the indoor track, open gym time and the Wolves Den games room with bowling, pool and a golf simulator. A free 30-minute fitness orientation is also included.
- Every washroom in the ARC is all-gender. There are three locker rooms, one female, one male and one all-gender, plus private changing spaces.
- The Welcome Desk is at 613-727-4723, ext. 7294.
Getting in and what it costs
If you pay the Student Activity Fee and the Athletics and Recreation Fee each term, you have full ARC access at no extra cost. Get your AC Card, complete the ARC waiver online, then activate the card at the Welcome Desk.
Other Algonquin students count as AC Affiliates and buy a membership. That group includes AC Online, apprenticeship, part-time, co-op term, dual-credit and academic upgrading students, plus staff and alumni.
| Membership | Price (HST extra) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| SA fee-paying student | No additional cost | Full access |
| AC Affiliate | $20 a day, $100 a month, $380 for 4 months or $900 a year | Full access |
| Weekend guest pass (17 and over) | $20 a day, Saturday or Sunday only | Fitness and open gym only, no intramurals or climbing |
- A weekend guest must be signed in by an active member. Each member can bring one guest a day, and the guest needs ID.
- Use the Registrar's Office tuition and fees estimator to check whether your program already includes the two fees.
Fall 2026 intramurals
Intramurals run in the Rec Gym at the ARC and at the Sports Field (Building Z). You need an ARC membership of at least four months. Registration for all three Fall leagues opened September 8, and you pay at the ARC Welcome Desk before the deadline.
| League | Registration deadline | Season | Time and place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volleyball | October 1 at 4 p.m. | October 5 to December 1 | Tuesdays, 2 to 7 p.m., Rec Gym |
| Basketball | October 1 at 4 p.m. | October 6 to December 2 | Wednesdays, 2 to 7 p.m., Rec Gym |
| Soccer | September 25 at 4 p.m. | October 1 to November 5 | Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sports Field |
- Registration costs $10 as an individual, or $50 per volleyball or basketball team and $30 per soccer team.
- Two one-day tournaments open for registration on November 9, 2026, with a November 20 deadline: 5v5 soccer on November 26 in the Dome ($30 a team) and 3v3 basketball, date to be announced, in the Rec Gym ($25 a team).
- The membership page lists intramurals as included in an ARC membership, but the intramurals page charges these registration fees. Expect to pay the listed fee.
Climbing and bouldering
The ARC has a 34-foot climbing wall with five auto-belays and a 15-foot bouldering wall. Access is part of your membership.
Before you climb, sign the climbing waiver, book the mandatory belay and safety orientation, and reserve a time online or at the Welcome Desk. Climbing staff check your harness before you use the wall.
The Algonquin Wolves
Algonquin's varsity teams are the Algonquin Wolves. They compete in the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association in women's and men's soccer, volleyball and basketball.
If you're searching for the Algonquin Thunder, some Students' Association web addresses still use that name, but its current athletics pages all say Wolves. The Students' Association says wolves play a significant role in the culture and stories of the Algonquin People, whose territory the campuses are on.
Recreation at the Pembroke Campus
Pembroke has a 1,300-square-foot Fitness Zone on the second floor, overlooking the gymnasium. It has selectorized weight machines, dumbbells and cardio equipment. SA fee-paying students use it at no extra cost after signing a waiver and activating their AC Card at the SA office, room 100. Alumni and staff pay $160 for four months or $50 a month.
The gymnasium, room 102, is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the climbing wall open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Campus Recreation leagues include volleyball, indoor soccer, floor hockey and 3v3 basketball, and each league needs at least four teams.
Keep exploring
Sources and updates
This independent guide summarizes the official information linked below. Prices, dates, hours and access rules can change; check the relevant Algonquin page before making a decision.
- Algonquin Students' Association: Jack Doyle Athletics and Recreation Centre
- Algonquin Students' Association: ARC memberships
- Algonquin Students' Association: ARC recreation
- Algonquin Students' Association: Intramurals
- Algonquin Students' Association: Climbing and bouldering wall
- Algonquin Students' Association: Athletics
- Algonquin Students' Association: Algonquin Wolves' story
- Algonquin Students' Association: Pembroke Fitness Zone
- Algonquin Students' Association: Pembroke gymnasium