University guides
On this page
U of A Gym Guide: Van Vliet Complex, PAW Centre and Golden Bears Games
Most U of A recreation on North Campus happens in the Van Vliet Complex at 87 Avenue and 114 Street. Your tuition bill includes an Athletics and Recreation fee and a PAW Centre fee, so you get into the Hanson Fitness and Lifestyle Centre, the pools and the Wilson Climbing Centre with your ONEcard. Group fitness classes cost extra. The same fee gets you free tickets to regular-season Golden Bears and Pandas games.
Sources checked September 30, 2026. View sources
What's in the Van Vliet Complex and on South Campus
Campus and Community Recreation runs 37 facilities on North and South Campus. The registrar's fee page calls the newer fitness building the Physical Activity and Wellness (PAW) Centre and lists a climbing wall, fitness centre, study space, student lounges, a gym and the Steadward Centre inside it. The recreation pages list the same fitness centre and climbing wall as part of the Van Vliet Complex, so expect both names on signs and maps.
| Facility | What's there | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Hanson Fitness and Lifestyle Centre (Van Vliet Complex) | Two levels with 90 cardio machines, 6 Olympic lifting platforms, 14 squat racks, free weights and a personal training studio | Students drop in with a ONEcard. The minimum age is 16. A live occupancy tracker is linked from the facility page. |
| Wilson Climbing Centre | A 2,700 sq. ft. bouldering lounge and a high-wall loft with more than 7,000 sq. ft. of climbing, including top-rope and lead anchors | You sign a waiver and pass a facility belay check before roped climbing. Gear can be rented or bought. |
| Aquatic Centre | East Pool: six lanes, 25 yards, warmer and shallower. West Pool: T-shaped, 25 m one way and 25 yd the other, with a 3.75 m deep tank and diving board | Open to swimmers only at posted drop-in swim times |
| Green and Gold Gyms | Green Gym (formerly Main Gym): 18,000 sq. ft. of hardwood. Gold Gym (formerly East Gym): 7,360 sq. ft., mostly drop-in badminton | Drop-in basketball runs in the Green Gym |
| Board Games Den and Digital Games Den | Rooms VVC 1-610 and VVC 1-225 for tabletop, console and PC gaming | Your first visit is free with a ONEcard, then a $10 pass for the term |
| Saville Community Sports Centre (South Campus, 11610 65 Avenue) | Fitness centre, 12 hardwood gyms, 8 indoor and 9 outdoor tennis courts and 10 sheets of curling ice | Not covered in full. Students get discounted drop-in and tennis membership. |
| Foote Field (South Campus, 11601 68 Avenue) | Turf field under an air-supported dome from December to April, a premier grass field and a 400 m track | Students get free drop-in at the dome and on the outdoor track from May to October |
Is the gym included in your fees?
Yes, for most students. For 2026-27, an on-campus full-time student pays an Athletics and Recreation fee of $104.88 and a PAW Centre fee of $29.00 each term. Part-time students pay $52.44 and $29.00. Neither fee can be opted out of, and off-campus students pay the PAW fee only if they opt in.
The fee covers the Hanson Fitness and Lifestyle Centre with two hours of personal training, the Aquatic Centre, the Wilson Climbing Centre, drop-in sports with free equipment sign-out and the outdoor gym by the Humanities Building. Group fitness classes are discounted, not free.
The pages don't agree on part-time access. The fee page charges part-time students both fees, but the climbing centre and Gold Gym pages say free drop-in is for full-time students in fall and winter. If you study part-time, ask at the customer service desk (1-241 VVC) before you plan around it.
| Option | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Athletics and Recreation fee plus PAW Centre fee | $104.88 plus $29.00 a term (full-time, on campus) | Fitness centre, pools, climbing centre, drop-in sports and free regular-season varsity tickets |
| Group fitness drop-in (student) | $10 a class, $90 for 10, $265 for the term | Registered and drop-in group fitness classes |
| Van Vliet Complex monthly membership (student taking a term off) | $24.97 a month, or $10 a drop-in | The complex, fitness centre, climbing centre and North Campus outdoor spaces |
| Daily locker | $2.75 | Leave government-issued ID at the desk while you have the lock |
| Small locker with towel service (student) | $72 a term, $144 for two terms, or $18 a month | Needs a $40 deposit; prices exclude GST |
| Full-size locker with towel service (student) | $108 a term, $216 for two terms, or $27 a month | Needs a $40 deposit; prices exclude GST |
Fall and winter hours
These hours run from September 1 to April 30. The complex closes from December 25 to January 1 and runs short hours on December 24. Pools open only at posted swim times, so check the drop-in schedule before you pack a suit.
| Facility | Monday to Friday | Weekends and holidays |
|---|---|---|
| Hanson Fitness and Lifestyle Centre | 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Wilson Climbing Centre | 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Noon to 6 p.m. |
| Saville Community Sports Centre (East) | 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. | 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.; holidays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Saville Fitness Centre | 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; holidays 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Foote Field | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. | 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
Your first visit
Carry your ONEcard every time; staff won't let you into any Van Vliet facility without it or a membership card. Many drop-in sports use timeslots you reserve on the Activity Reg site. Each person books their own slot, and you cancel under My Appointments.
- Change rooms are on the lower level near the customer service desk. There are men's, women's and universal change rooms.
- Change room lockers are day-use only. Items left overnight are fined $20.
- Towels can be rented at the customer service desk.
- Return equipment and drop-in passes 30 minutes before closing.
- League play, coaching and team practices aren't allowed during drop-in times.
What's closed or under construction in 2026-27
Two big venues are affected this year. The Universiade Pavilion, known as the Butterdome, is under construction from January 2026 through fall 2027. Its programs and events are paused, but drop-in runs at designated times. Clare Drake Arena is closed for construction from March 2026 to March 2027, with no bookings.
Check each facility page before you plan a routine around either venue.
Golden Bears and Pandas games for students
If you pay the Athletics and Recreation fee, you get into regularly scheduled Golden Bears and Pandas home events free. Canada West and U SPORTS playoffs and special events aren't included.
Claim each ticket in the Golden Bears and Pandas Student Account Manager, signing up with your ualberta email. Don't reuse your CCID password there. Tickets check out at $0 and show as a barcode on your phone. Student tickets are limited for busy games, so claim early.
Foote Field is home to Golden Bears football, soccer and track and field, and Pandas soccer, rugby and track and field.
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.
- University of Alberta Registrar: non-instructional fees 2026-27
- Campus and Community Recreation: U of A recreation benefits
- Campus and Community Recreation: facilities and booking
- Campus and Community Recreation: locations and hours
- Campus and Community Recreation: access and services
- Campus and Community Recreation: membership and rates
- Campus and Community Recreation: Hanson Fitness and Lifestyle Centre
- Campus and Community Recreation: Wilson Climbing Centre
- Campus and Community Recreation: Aquatics Centre
- Campus and Community Recreation: Green and Gold Gymnasiums
- Campus and Community Recreation: Board and Digital Games Den
- Campus and Community Recreation: Saville Community Sports Centre
- Campus and Community Recreation: Foote Field
- Campus and Community Recreation: locker rentals
- Campus and Community Recreation: Van Vliet Complex change rooms
- Campus and Community Recreation: drop-in activities
- Campus and Community Recreation: Universiade Pavilion (Butterdome)
- Campus and Community Recreation: Clare Drake Arena
- Golden Bears and Pandas: UAlberta student access
- Golden Bears and Pandas: detailed ticket information