North Laurel Community Center MD: Visitor Guide

Quick Facts: Address, Hours and Contact

Opening Hours and Holiday Closures

The official center calendar lists full-day closures on New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day and the following Friday, and Christmas Day.

On Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, the facility lists an early closing time of 5 PM. Special programming and weather can modify these hours.

Weather delays

• One-hour school delay: the center aims to open at 9:30 AM.
• Two-hour school delay: it aims to open at 10:30 AM.
• School closure due to weather: it aims to open by 10:30 AM where possible.
• County snow emergency: the center remains closed while the emergency plan is active.

Admission and Membership Fees

Howard County operates three participating community centers: North Laurel, Gary J. Arthur and Roger Carter. A general Center Membership allows use of gymnasium and walking-track facilities. Fitness equipment and pools require a suitable membership package.

Center Membership vs Fit4U

Fit4U includes eligible use of the three centers’ fitness facilities and the pools at North Laurel and Roger Carter, subject to opening times, maintenance and age rules.

Children 12 and under require an adult chaperone. Fitness-room users ages 13–15 must complete an orientation and remain under appropriate adult supervision.

Swimming Pools, Slides and Aquatics

The major 2026 addition to North Laurel Community Center provides a lap pool and a separate therapy/leisure pool with family-focused water features. Howard County officially opened the expanded aquatic complex on March 31, 2026.

Published pool operating times

These represent normal published pool hours after reopening, not guaranteed public open-swim hours. Lanes, lessons and leisure sessions follow their own allocation schedules.

Water-feature swim sessions

For weekend recreational water-feature use, the published sessions are:

The center issues up to 60 tickets per water-feature swim session. Tickets are valid only for the purchased session, and the pool and locker rooms are cleared between sessions. Ticket sales may begin when the facility opens.

Swimming rules for parents

• Children must be 16 or older and pass the swimming test to enter the pool without an accompanying adult.
• Younger swimmers need an adult at least 18 years old.
• Children under 10 must have a parent on the interior pool deck.
• Children under 5 who have not passed the swim test must remain within their parent’s arm’s reach.
• The large yellow spiral slide requires a minimum height of 48 inches.
• The smaller dolphin slide is intended for children under 48 inches.
• Children who are not toilet trained must wear proper swim diapers and suitable swimwear.
• Regular diapers, glass items and prohibited flotation devices are not permitted.

How to plan a family swim visit

1. Confirm pool reopening and availability. Call the center before traveling, especially around October 19, 2026.
2. Choose your swimming activity. Decide whether you need lap swimming, preschool swim or a weekend water-feature session.
3. Check current capacity. Ask how many session tickets remain and whether the desired slide is operating.
4. Bring approved swimwear. Prepare swim diapers, towels and other allowed items.
5. Arrive and check in. Purchase or present appropriate admission and follow the lifeguards’ instructions.

Fitness Room, Walking Track, Pickleball and Basketball

North Laurel has a fitness room, double gymnasium, indoor walking track, game room and dance/aerobics space.

October 2026 published drop-in schedule

Fitness-room access

Regular fitness-room access follows the facility’s hours, except for Monday and Wednesday closures from 11 AM–12:15 PM. Appropriate fitness membership and age restrictions apply.

Before arriving for basketball or pickleball, call 410-313-0390 to check drop-in availability, court allocation and applicable admission.

North Laurel 50+ Center: Programs and Membership

The North Laurel 50+ Center serves adults ages 50 and older with lifelong learning, social activities, exercise, arts and cultural programs. It operates within the same main community center.

Free 50+ membership covers applicable social and recreation-center benefits. The paid Fitness package adds fitness and dance/aerobics facilities, while the Pool package adds swimming access during approved open-swim hours.

How to join

1. Contact the 50+ front desk. Call 410-313-0380 to discuss the membership options.
2. Choose your activity level. The free center option may suit social programs, while fitness or swimming requires the appropriate paid package.
3. Confirm identification and residency requirements. Ask what documents to bring for your selected rate.
4. Check the calendar. Identify any classes that need separate program registration.

Youth, Family Programs and County Services

The facility serves more than recreation visitors. It also provides access to several Howard County agencies and activity spaces.

Appointments and eligibility for county agency services are separate from recreation admission. Ask the relevant office about its individual hours before traveling.

Registering for activities

1. Open the county’s recreation programs directory. Browse the current activity or camp guide.
2. Choose a program. Filter by location, participant age, dates or activity type.
3. Sign in or create a household account. Enter accurate participant information.
4. Review eligibility. Check county-resident priority, fees and required forms.
5. Complete the registration. Save your payment receipt or confirmation.

Howard County also accepts registration assistance by telephone at 410-313-7275, generally during weekday business hours.

Room Rentals: Current Published Prices

North Laurel Community Center rents meeting rooms, gym courts, multipurpose spaces, a kitchen, courtyard and pavilion for events and organized activities.

Qualifying Howard County nonprofits receive separate discounted rental rates. For example, the county lists $50 per hour for a Chesapeake room and $80 per hour for a gym court.

Audiovisual equipment carries a published $40 rental fee per day. Additional security deposits or permit requirements may apply.

How to request a rental

1. Decide on the venue. Choose a meeting room, athletic court, pavilion or package appropriate for your event.
2. Prepare information. Have your preferred date, group name, maximum attendance, contact information and setup requirements ready.
3. Submit the official rental request. Use Howard County’s North Laurel Community Center rental form.
4. Confirm availability and total charges. Ask about security deposits, nonprofit eligibility, setup time, AV and cancellation terms.
5. Obtain approval and a receipt. Do not assume the room is booked until county staff confirm it.

For rental questions, call 410-313-0457.

Where Is North Laurel Community Center?

The center is in southeastern Howard County, convenient for residents of North Laurel and surrounding Laurel-area communities.

There is parking associated with the main facility and park, but availability varies during games, classes, rentals and large events. Follow designated accessible parking signs and keep emergency access clear.

Before You Visit: Practical Checklist

More Community Center Visitor Guides

For comparisons of public recreation facilities, memberships and rentals, see our related community center guides:

• Community Recreation Center Guide — understand general membership and facility options.
• Lubber Run Community Center — compare a Northern Virginia community recreation facility.
• Maryland Heights Community Center — compare indoor recreation, programs and memberships at a Missouri center.

For other county-run centers within Howard County, use the official Howard County Recreation Facilities Directory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Official Sources and Contact Links

• North Laurel Community Center — official page
• Howard County facility membership and fees
• Recreation programs, activity guides and registration
• North Laurel 50+ Center programs
• County rental forms and requirements
• Forms, PDFs and financial assistance

Information reviewed October 16, 2026. Hours, pricing, recreational schedules and rental policies may change.