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Queen's ARC: Facilities and Access
The official name is the Queen's University Athletics and Recreation Centre, commonly shortened to the ARC. The main entrance is inside the Queen's Centre at 284 Earl Street. The building has five levels of fitness, court, pool, studio and service spaces, while ARC South adds three more gymnasiums through Mitchell Hall. Access depends on a valid student or membership credential, and individual spaces follow current programming schedules.
Sources checked September 11, 2026. View sources
Choose the space that matches your activity
The ARC's detailed facility directory lists 24,500 square feet of cardio and strength zones, a 38-by-25-metre pool, gymnasiums, studios, eight squash courts, two racquetball courts, combative space, change rooms and member services. This inventory spans ARC North and ARC South.
Availability is programmed. A gym, court or pool can exist in the building without being open for casual use at the moment you arrive. Check the current hours, pool schedule, open recreation listing and any booking requirement before planning a specific workout.
A floor-by-floor orientation
Use the floor guide below to locate the activity space and its entrance. Court-level access and spectator access to Gym 1 are on different floors. ARC South adds Bartlett Gym and Ross Gym on Level 2 and Gym 5 on Lower Level 1 of Mitchell Hall.
| Level | Selected spaces |
|---|---|
| Lower Level 2 | Main and team locker rooms, Q Services, equipment services, tunnel to ARC South |
| Lower Level 1 | Pool access, Gym 1 court access, squash and racquetball courts, Lifting Zone |
| Ground Level 1 | Main entry, Q Services, Q Shop, atrium, Stacked Weight Zone |
| Upper Level 2 | Stretching, cardio and conditioning zones, studios |
| Upper Level 3 | Women's Fitness Zone, combative rooms, Gym 2, cycle studio |
| ARC South | Gyms 3 to 5 through Mitchell Hall; use the Lower Level 1 Q Services desk |
How student and member access works
Students assessed and paying the Athletics and Recreation ancillary fee receive ARC membership. Eligibility depends on the student category and fee assessment; some distance, certificate and other routes do not include it. Check SOLUS or ask the Registrar and Q Services if your status is unclear. Staff, faculty, alumni, retirees and community members can buy memberships or short-term passes through Queen's.
A general building membership does not erase activity-specific rules. Courts may require booking, pools operate at designated times, programs may require registration, and equipment rental or locker services can carry separate steps or charges. Check the live listing for the activity you want rather than assuming every amenity is drop-in.
- Bring your physical student or membership card for the access gate.
- Enter ARC North through the Queen's Centre and speak with Q Services at the main desk.
- For ARC South gyms, follow the Mitchell Hall directions and check in at the Lower Level 1 Q Services desk.
- Ask Q Services about access accommodations, change-room options or an orientation before your first workout.
Make the first visit easier
Queen's offers guided, in-person self-guided and at-home self-guided ARC tours. The self-guided route starts on Level 3 and works down through the five floors. Bring your student ID, clean indoor shoes and a water bottle; ask staff for help using unfamiliar equipment.
Keep exploring
Sources and updates
This independent guide summarizes the official information linked below. Availability, access rules and application cycles can change; check the relevant university page before making a decision.
- Queen's Athletics and Recreation Centre facility directory
- Queen's Athletics and Recreation: Become a Member
- Queen's Athletics and Recreation: Getting Physical Activity at the ARC
- Queen's Athletics and Recreation: Get Started at the ARC
- Queen's Athletics and Recreation: ARC North and South directions
- Queen's ancillary-fee eligibility
- SGPS activity fees