City of South Portland Community Center: Visitor Guide

South Portland Community Center Hours

The center follows different schedules during the regular recreation season and summer. The summer schedule is particularly important because weekend access changes.

Summer hours: Memorial Day through Labor Day

Also remember that the building can be open while the swimming pool, gymnasium or another individual area is reserved for a class, league, private event or maintenance.

For general facility planning, our community recreation center guide explains the difference between building hours, activity schedules, admission fees and program registration.

Admission Fees, Pool Prices & Recreation Passes

There is no single universal fee that covers every activity at South Portland Community Center. Swimming, open gym and indoor track use have different pricing arrangements.

Indoor swimming admission

The City’s published aquatics schedule lists these daily drop-in rates. The child and senior categories follow the City’s program classifications; check the current registration details if you are unsure which category applies.

20-visit pool punch passes

• Each frequent-user pass contains 20 punches.
• The published 2026 program guide says these passes are non-refundable and do not expire.
• Passes are available for purchase at the community center front desk.

Open gym fees

Open gym activities include scheduled basketball, pickleball and volleyball. The 2026 program guide also specifies identification requirements for adult open-gym sessions. Confirm the current activity schedule and eligibility before visiting.

Indoor Pool: Swimming, Water Fitness & Pool Rules

The South Portland Community Center Pool is a six-lane, 25-meter indoor swimming facility. It serves recreational swimmers, lap swimmers, swim teams, children, adults and people participating in aquatic fitness programs.

Available swimming activities

• Open swim: General recreational swimming. Two or three lap lanes may be available, but this varies by session. The diving board is not guaranteed to be open.
• Lap swim: Exercise swimming, generally with six lanes available when scheduling permits.
• Adult lap swim: Designed for participants age 18 and older, with all lanes generally available for lap swimming.
• Shallow-water aerobics: Water-based exercise with options for different fitness levels. Non-swimmers are welcome.
• Deep-water fitness: Water aerobics and strength training. Participants must be able to swim at least 25 meters without a flotation device.
• J.A.M. Fitness: Joint and Movement activities using low-impact exercises to work on flexibility, balance, mobility and strength.
• Hydro Fitness: A combination of shallow-water, deep-water and joint-mobility exercises.

Important pool rules for families

• Children under 10 must be accompanied and supervised by a swimmer age 16 or older during open swim.
• Non-swimmers wearing a life jacket or personal flotation device must remain within arm’s reach of a parent or guardian.
• Proper bathing attire is required.
• Shoulder-length or longer hair must be tied back or covered with a swim cap.
• Anyone who is incontinent or not fully toilet-trained must wear appropriate swim diapers or protective swimwear.
• Lap swimmers must choose a lane appropriate for their speed and follow lifeguard instructions about circle swimming.
• Water jogging is not permitted during designated lap-swim sessions.

Pool accessibility and changing facilities

The pool has several useful accessibility features:

• Accessible ramp entry into the water.
• Water wheelchair for easier pool access.
• Hoyer lift for the hot tub.
• Men’s, women’s and private locker rooms.
• Coast Guard-approved flotation equipment for children and some adults.
• Swimming equipment, including kickboards, hand paddles, fins and pull buoys, for lap swimmers.

Bathing caps, goggles, aquatic belts and locker padlocks are also listed as items available for purchase at the front desk.

For another city-operated facility where pool hours, admission and rental arrangements are handled separately, see our Matt Dishman Community Center pool and visitor guide in Portland, Oregon.

Indoor Walking Track, Gym & Fitness Facilities

Indoor walking track

The elevated indoor walking track is located above the gymnasium. It gives visitors an indoor option for walking or jogging without depending on outdoor weather.

Visitors should sign in at the front desk before using the track and bring appropriate walking shoes to change into inside the building. The track is generally available during building hours, although occasional program or facility closures can affect access.

Gymnasium and recreation spaces

The community center includes:

• Full-size gymnasium with two basketball courts arranged for cross-court play.
• Scheduled adult basketball, volleyball and pickleball activities.
• Half-gym reservation options.
• Aerobic room for group exercise and smaller activities.
• Art room and activity room.
• Multipurpose room and Casco Bay meeting room.
• Conference room and Senior Wing.

Open gym does not mean unrestricted access all day. Check the live MyRec calendar to identify the correct activity and available time.

Programs for Children, Adults & Seniors

South Portland Parks, Recreation & Waterfront runs seasonal recreation programs at the community center and other municipal facilities.

Swim lessons: age groups and registration

The City’s aquatics program offers youth lessons beginning at approximately 9 months of age and continuing through age 14. Adult lessons begin at age 14 and include beginner instruction and stroke-refinement opportunities.

Swim lessons are seasonal, generally offered in fall, winter, spring and summer. Registration is offered during the month before lessons begin.

South Portland residents receive the first registration opportunity, followed by non-residents. Popular classes may fill quickly, so prepare your MyRec household account before the registration date.

Senior Drop-in Center

The City’s separate Senior Drop-in Center provides free daily activities for residents and non-residents over age 55. Activities can include games, social gatherings, presentations, creative programs and group trips.

Do not confuse the senior-program age threshold of 55+ with the pool’s senior pricing category, which is listed separately in the City’s aquatics fee schedule.

Youth scholarships and accessibility accommodations

The Nathan Savage Youth Programs Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance for eligible South Portland resident youth programs. The 2026 guide identifies exclusions for summer recreation camps and the SoPo Kids Club before- and after-care program.

The published program guide asks applicants to submit scholarship applications at least two weeks before the program begins.

The department also provides reasonable accommodations for qualified participants with disabilities. The 2026 guide asks participants to request accommodations at least 10 days before the first program date.

Community Center Rental Rates

South Portland Community Center has meeting rooms, activity spaces, gymnasium areas and an indoor pool available for approved rentals.

The following amounts come from the City’s published master fee schedule, whose amendment history includes February 3, 2026. Rates are subject to City Council changes, so request a written quote before paying.

Room rental prices

Indoor pool party rental prices

The City’s aquatics page lists Saturday pool-party rental windows of 1:00–2:00 PM and 2:00–3:00 PM. These weekend rentals are unavailable during the center’s Memorial Day–Labor Day weekend closure. Confirm the exact booking duration and group-size fee with the Aquatics Manager.

How to Reserve a Room at South Portland Community Center

Facility reservations are submitted through the City’s South Portland Parks, Recreation & Waterfront MyRec system. Sending a request does not mean the room is already booked.

1. Create your account. Open the official MyRec portal and create a household account or sign in to your existing account.
2. Open Facilities. Select the Facilities tab and then choose Facility List.
3. Select the correct facility. Find South Portland Community Center and choose the facility-request option.
4. Complete the request form. Enter the preferred date, time, event type, expected attendance and required rental information.
5. Review the policies. Check insurance, facility rules, payment requirements and any special-event requirements before submitting.
6. Wait for approval. The Facility Manager reviews the request and contacts you to confirm or deny it.

Rental application deadlines

The City’s community-center rental policy allows one-time reservations and special-event requests up to 365 days before the requested date. However, Parks & Recreation programs and annual special events receive priority over outside requests.

The person requesting a rental must be at least 21 years old. The City may also require photo identification.

Liability insurance requirement

Outside renters must provide proof of general liability insurance with coverage of at least $1 million. The City of South Portland must be named as an additional insured on the policy.

• For one-day events, proof of insurance must be supplied before the application is approved.
• Tournaments, leagues and organizations must provide the required insurance documentation at least two weeks before the event.
• The renter is responsible for damage, cleanup and leaving the space in its original condition.

Important facility rental rules

• Non-marking gym footwear is required in the gymnasium.
• Food and drinks are prohibited in the gym and multipurpose room; water is allowed.
• Smoking and alcohol are prohibited.
• Decorations cannot be attached to the building without approval.
• Confetti, glitter, bubbles, silly string and bounce houses are prohibited.
• Rentals must take place within the center’s operating hours.
• Outside vendors must receive approval from the Facility Manager.

Cancellation and payment rules

The published rental policy states that the remaining balance is due after reservation confirmation. If the balance is unpaid seven days before the first rental date, the City may release the date.

Accessibility, Parking & Getting to the Center

The official facility listing identifies South Portland Community Center as ADA accessible. The building also has an elevator, parking, restrooms and internet access.

For visitors with mobility requirements, the indoor pool’s ramp entry and water wheelchair are particularly useful. The hot tub has its own Hoyer lift. Private locker rooms are also available.

Location and local orientation

The center is located at 21 Nelson Road, across from South Portland High School. Use the full street address when arranging transportation or directions.

There is another municipal facility in the city that visitors sometimes confuse with this location: Redbank Community Center.

If you are comparing other municipal recreation options in Maine, our Kittery Community Center visitor guide covers another town-operated facility with fitness, indoor sports, walking and rental spaces.

For another example of a public indoor-pool and fitness complex, see our Mt. Scott Community Center guide in Portland, Oregon. Its pool, fitness and recreation schedules illustrate why checking individual activity hours matters.