Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre

The City wants to thank Londoners for allowing the use of Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre as a COVID-19 Assessment Centre throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Friends of Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre Decide is the opportunity for Carling and surrounding neighbourhood residents of any age to submit ideas to make Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre and McMahen Park even better. Submit an idea today.

The Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre is located at 656 Elizabeth Street.


 Free drop-in program

Until December 2022, the City is offering free drop-in programs to welcome Londoners back to the building. Click to drop-downs below to find schedules and registration information. 

Recreation programs

Registration for recreation programs is required. Please register online or visit our programs, courses and registration page to find out how to register over the phone or in-person. Free weekly recreation drop-in programs include:

Mondays

  • Parent and tot open gym from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
  • 55+ pickleball from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
  • Family open gym from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
  • 55+ pickleball from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
  • 18+ pickleball from 9 to 9:30 p.m.

Tuesdays

  • Parent and tot open gym from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
  • 18+ volleyball from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
  • 18+ pickleball from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
  • Youth basketball from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
  • 18+ basketball from 8 to 9:30 p.m.

Wednesdays 

  • Parent and tot open gym from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
  • 55+ pickleball from 11 to 12:30 p.m.
  • Family badminton from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Thursdays 

  • Parent and tot open gym from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
  • 18+ badminton from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
  • 18+ basketball from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Fridays

  • Family open gym from 9:30 to 11 a.m., 4:30 to 6 p.m.
  • 18+ volleyball from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
  • 18+ basketball from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
  • 55+ badminton from 6 to 8 p.m.
  • 18+ badminton from 8 to 9:30 p.m.

Saturdays

  • Family open gym from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
  • 18+ pickleball from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
  • 18+ basketball from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Sundays

  • 18+ badminton from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
  • Family open gym from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
  • 18+ basketball from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Register online

Please note this schedule is subject to change. To find the most up-to-date scheudule, visit Play Your Way online.

Aquatics programs

Registration for aquatics programs is not required, with the exception of parent and tot aquafit. Free weekly aquatics drop-in programs include:

Mondays

  • Lane swim from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
  • Aquafit from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
  • Water walking from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.

Tuesdays

  • Lane swim from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
  • Aquafit from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.
  • Parent and tot swim from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 5 to 6 p.m.
  • Recreation swim from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Wednesdays

  • Lane swim from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
  • Aquafit from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
  • Water walking from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m.

Thursdays

  • Lane swim from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
  • Aquafit from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and 6:30 to 7:15 p.m.
  • Parent and tot swim from 5 to 6 p.m.
  • Parent and tot aquafit from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. (registration required)
  • Recreation swim from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Fridays

  • Lane swim from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
  • Aquafit from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
  • Parent and tot swim from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Saturdays

  • Recreation swim from 12 to 3 p.m.

Please note this schedule is subject to change. To find the most up-to-date schedule, visit Play Your Way online.​​​​​​


Hours of operation 

This community centre is open for recreation programming and rentals. Hours of operation vary day to day. For questions about programs and hours please call 519-661-5575 or email recreation@london.ca.

Recreation customer service hours

  • Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Registered programs

Check our  Play Your Way website to register and pay for programs that take place at Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre. 


Cancellations and closures

Check our cancellation page to ensure your program is running as scheduled.


Amenities

The Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre is a multipurpose facility featuring gymnasiums, meeting rooms, a swimming pool, fitness centre and aerobics studio.  The community centre is ideal for large or small, public or private group gatherings, including meetings, birthday parties, special events, tournaments, receptions and training events.   

Indoor pool

This facility includes a 25-metre, 6-lane pool and a climbing wall. It also includes a change table with a lift, an electric pool lift, stair entry and a universal change room. Program offerings include recreational swims, lane swims and aquafit classes, swim lessons and aquatic leadership programs.

Visit our aquatics page to find information related to Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre's indoor pool. 

Wolseley skateboard park

This skateboard park has features suitable for all levels of skaters. Features include a replica pool, rollers, a 9-stair set with rails, 2 flat and 3 double stair sets with rails, floating kickers, a quarter pipe to bank and step up combination, a bank to the floating ledge and a 30-brick euro hip. Visit our skateboard parks page to learn more about skateboard parks in the city.

Meeting room 
  • Tables and chairs
  • Capacity for 200 people standing, 150 seated
  • Dividable
  • Room A has capacity of 75 people standing, 40 seated
  • Room B has capacity of 125 people standing, 100 seated
  • Kitchen access
  • Video screens
  • White board
Gymnasium

The double gymnasium has a hardwood sprung floor, two electronic scoreboards, divides in half and in thirds using drop down canvas curtains, bleacher seating and is complete with four team change rooms with showers.

Other amenities include:

  • NCAA standard size court
  • Hardwood sprung floor
  • Two electronic scoreboards
  • Dividable in half or thirds with canvas curtain
  • Maximum capacity of 952 people, including viewing mezzanine
  • Half or full rental
  • Basketball: one full court or two half courts, four practice nets
  • All nets with glass backboards
  • Badminton: eight courts
  • Volleyball: three full courts
  • Floor hockey: two metal nets, one set of 12 hockey sticks
Conference room
  • Ideal for small group gatherings and private meetings.
  • Comfortable seating for eight people.
Aerobics room
  • Perfect for exercise classes
  • Maximum capacity of 150 people standing
  • Hardwood floors
  • Four large wall mirrors
  • Supplied with aerobics steps, gymnastic mats and yoga mats.
Weight room

The Fitness Centre is open for a fee to anyone aged 16 and up.  

Amenities include: 

  • Cardio equipment (treadmills, elliptical and exercise bike)
  • Strength equipment (free weights and universal machines)
  • Stretch and core equipment
Kitchen
  • Counter space
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator with freezer
  • Double sink/single sink
  • Stove top and oven

Rentals

Visit our rentals page to book a space in the Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre. To book a rental, call 519-661-5575 or email recreation@london.ca

Rental rates

Full Gym

Adult Rate   $104.92 per hour
Minor Rate  $78.69 per hour
Commercial Rate $188.86 per hour

Gym A or B

Adult Rate $47.78 per hour
Minor Rate $35.83 per hour
Commercial Rate $86.00 per hour

Combined Meeting Rooms

Adult Rate $39.98 ​​​​​​per hour
Minor Rate $29.96 per hour
Commercial Rate $71.96 ​​​​​​per hour

Meeting Room A or B

Adult Rate $28.72 ​​​​​​per hour
Minor Rate $21.54 per hour
Commercial Rate $51.70 per hour

Aerobics Room

Adult Rate  $39.98 per hour
Minor Rate  $29.96 per hour
Commercial Rate $71.96 per hour

Conference Room

Adult Rate  $28.72 per hour
Minor Rate  $21.23 per hour
Commercial Rate $51.70 per hour

Kitchen

Adult Rate  $28.72 per hour
Minor Rate  $21.54 per hour
Commercial Rate $51.70 per hour

HST is not included in the above prices. 

Insurance can be purchased through the City of London or you can provide a copy of your own coverage. 

Music - SOCAN and Re:Sound charge is required

Non-alcohol events only.

Last modified:Wednesday, December 14, 2022