Plan Your Prairie Lakes Visit: Swimming, Fitness, Classes & Rentals
Prairie Lakes Community Center is a Des Plaines Park District recreation facility at 515 E. Thacker Street, Des Plaines, IL 60016. The complex brings together fitness facilities, an indoor walking track, gymnasium, sports courts, Prairie Lakes Aquatic Center, theatre space, recreation programs and meeting-room rentals.
The most important thing to know before visiting is that the community center, fitness areas, indoor pool, theatre and scheduled classes may follow different operating hours. A building-hours listing alone does not guarantee that your intended activity is available.
Reviewed October 26, 2026. Verify current hours, renovation-related access changes, pool schedules and rental prices directly with the Park District.
Prairie Lakes Community Center Hours
Recent public facility listings commonly report the following general building schedule. These hours are not independently confirmed as the current official schedule and should not be treated as guaranteed access times.
| Day | Reported Building Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday–Friday | 5:30 AM–10:00 PM |
| Saturday | 7:00 AM–5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 7:00 AM–5:00 PM |
For swimming, do not confuse pool lane availability, wellness-pool sessions, splash-pad sessions and the main building schedule. The Park District publishes activity-specific information through its official website and registration resources.
Facilities Available at Prairie Lakes
Cardio and strength-training equipment, exercise areas and fitness membership options. Equipment and space availability may change during upgrades.
A walking and jogging option inside the building. Ask about track passes, age restrictions and temporary closures.
Indoor basketball courts and space used for sports programs, court activities and approved rentals.
Indoor swimming facilities with lap swimming, a wellness pool, splash-play amenities and swimming programs.
Racquetball courts and dedicated spaces for group exercise, Pilates, yoga and other scheduled activities.
A performance venue within the community center complex for productions, recitals and community entertainment.
Mountain View rooms, meeting rooms and a multipurpose room for approved meetings, parties and gatherings.
The surrounding park complex features sports fields, playground space and walking or cycling connections.
Park District activities include athletics, dance, fitness, preschool, camps and seasonal programming.
For a practical comparison of day passes, memberships and program access across different recreation centers, read our community recreation center hours, pool and fee guide.
Prairie Lakes Aquatic Center: Swimming & Splash Play
The indoor aquatic facility is located at the Prairie Lakes complex and has a separate contact number, 847-390-4949. Park District documents describe an eight-lane competition pool, wellness pool, splash-play area, changing facilities and aquatic programming.
| Activity | What Visitors Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Lap swimming | Lane availability may be limited during lessons, teams, classes and scheduled activities. |
| Wellness pool | May close temporarily during programming or capacity restrictions. |
| Splash play | Has separate activity periods; it is not automatically open whenever the building is open. |
| Swim lessons | Registration, age and level requirements depend on the scheduled course. |
| Aquatic exercise | Class schedules, capacity and access arrangements vary by session. |
Before Taking Children Swimming
- Call the aquatic desk and confirm open swim or splash-play hours.
- Ask whether admission requires a day pass, aquatic membership or program registration.
- Check supervision rules and required swimwear.
- Ask whether a swim test or flotation-device restrictions apply.
- Confirm availability if your visit depends on the splash area.
- Bring towels, swimwear, a suitable locker lock and required ID.
For comparison, the Bartlett Community Center indoor aquatics guide covers another Illinois park-district facility with swimming, fitness and family recreation options.
Fitness Memberships, Passes & Gym Access
Prairie Lakes offers several ways to access recreation facilities. The Park District’s published membership form identifies fitness, gym-and-courts, indoor-track, aquatic and combined Prairie Pass options.
| Pass Category | What to Confirm |
|---|---|
| Fitness Pass | Fitness floor access, hours, classes and equipment eligibility. |
| Indoor Track | Track-only access rules and availability. |
| Gym & Courts | Basketball, racquetball and other court usage schedules. |
| Aquatic Center | Pool access, available hours and swim-program exclusions. |
| Prairie Pass | Combination benefits across fitness, gym/courts, track and aquatic facilities. |
| 10-Visit Gym Pass | Eligible gym activities and expiration or transfer rules. |
| Senior/Student/Military | Any available discounted membership and identification requirements. |
Memberships may be individual, couple or family arrangements. The published form requires proof of residency for a first-time Des Plaines resident member and a parent or guardian signature for participants under age 18.
Some insurance-based fitness programs may cover only specific facilities. The Park District form states SilverSneakers and PRIME benefits do not automatically include the aquatic center; confirm current program coverage before using insurance-based membership access.
Programs, Classes & Online Registration
Des Plaines Park District provides recreation programs for children, teens, adults and seniors. Categories listed through its official registration system include swimming, athletics, fitness, dance, preschool, seasonal camps and special events.
Example: Fall 2026 Youth Basketball
A published Prairie Lakes program listing includes basketball instruction for ages 6–8. Examples include beginner basketball sessions focused on passing, shooting, dribbling and basic rules.
| Program Session | Published Details |
|---|---|
| Fall 1, 2026 | September 8–October 20, Tuesdays 4:30–5:30 PM; listed $112 resident / $140 nonresident. |
| Fall 2, 2026 | October 27–December 15, Tuesdays 4:30–5:30 PM; listed $128 resident / $160 nonresident. |
These are examples from a specific youth-sports provider’s published program schedule, not universal Prairie Lakes activity prices. Verify the age range, remaining places and any schedule changes before registering.
How to Register for a Class
- Open the Des Plaines Park District registration portal.
- Choose Activity Search.
- Search by program name, activity category or participant age.
- Check that the location is Prairie Lakes Community Center or Prairie Lakes Aquatic Center.
- Review dates, times, resident/nonresident price, age restrictions and available enrollment places.
- Sign in or create the required household account.
- Register the correct family member and follow the official payment instructions.
- Save confirmation details and check whether equipment or supplies are required.
Room Rentals: Spaces, Capacity & Prices
Prairie Lakes Community Center has several rooms suitable for meetings, birthday gatherings, community events and approved private functions. The Park District publishes resident and nonresident rental prices separately.
The amounts below are taken from the District’s 2025 published facility rate sheet. They are useful for budgeting but must be reconfirmed for a 2026 event.
| Space / Capacity | Resident Rate | Nonresident Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain View 1 · 35 | $50.50/hour | $106.05/hour |
| Mountain View 2 · 50 | $67/hour | $138.55/hour |
| Mountain View 3 · 35 | $50.50/hour | $106.05/hour |
| Mountain View 1 + 2 · 85 | $102/hour | $210/hour |
| Mountain View 1 + 2 + 3 · 120 | $139.50/hour | $290.85/hour |
| Meeting Room 1 or 2 · 35 | $50.50/hour | $106.05/hour |
| Multipurpose Room · 70 | $102/hour | $210/hour |
| Full Gym | $203/hour | $320.25/hour |
| Half Gym | $102/hour | $159.60/hour |
| Half Court | $50.50/hour | $80.85/hour |
Additional Rental Charges
| Charge | Published 2025 Amount |
|---|---|
| Room security deposit | $75 resident / $150 nonresident |
| One-room setup and cleaning | $40.20 resident / $40.95 nonresident |
| Two-room setup and cleaning | $64 resident / $65.10 nonresident |
| Three-room setup and cleaning | $76.25 resident / $77.70 nonresident |
| Mountain View kitchen | $50.50 resident / $116.55 nonresident |
| Multipurpose Room kitchen | $50.50 resident / $116.55 nonresident |
| Outside normal business hours | Additional $18.55/hour resident or $18.90/hour nonresident |
The District rental form lists a shared parking lot capacity of around 200 vehicles. Those spaces are shared with fitness visitors, programs and events, so renters should not assume all spaces are reserved for their guests.
How to Reserve a Prairie Lakes Room
- Choose your event type. Decide whether it is a birthday, meeting, presentation, family gathering or sports event.
- Estimate attendance. Match your guest count to the published room capacity.
- Choose a date and alternative. Ask about weekends, holidays and program conflicts.
- Call the Park District. Contact 847-391-5700 for rental information or 847-391-5711 for Prairie Lakes.
- Request a current quote. Verify room rate, deposit, resident eligibility, setup charges, extra time and cancellation terms.
- Read the application. The published form requires the applicant to be at least 25 years old.
- Choose the seating arrangement. Available setups include banquet, classroom and meeting configurations, subject to staff approval.
- Complete the contract. Provide accurate participant numbers, event purpose, contact information and setup requirements.
- Pay through the District. Follow official deposit and payment instructions.
- Attend with the contract and ID. The published agreement requires the applicant to be present and bring the contract and photo identification.
Rules That Can Affect Your Deposit
- Alcohol is prohibited on Park District property, with separately stated exceptions at the Golf Center.
- Smoking is not permitted inside the facility or within 15 feet of the building.
- Open flames, candles and incense are prohibited.
- Confetti and glitter are prohibited inside Park District buildings.
- Staff must handle the approved table and chair setup.
- Children must remain in the rented area or with an adult.
- The rental period must include setup and cleanup.
- DJ or live-band arrangements may require approval and liability documentation.
- Reservation changes must be requested at least three business days in advance under the published agreement.
The 2025 rate sheet describes a seven-day cancellation requirement for a full refund. The signed, current contract is the controlling document for any booking.
For another example of how capacities, deposits and event rules differ between municipal facilities, see our Oak Park Community Center rental planning guide.
Prairie Lakes Theater & Local Entertainment
Prairie Lakes Theater is located within the community center complex and hosts community productions, dance performances, recitals and other events. Park District planning documents describe a theatre of approximately 298 seats.
Event tickets, box-office hours and accessible seating arrangements depend on the presenting organization. A fitness or aquatic pass should not be assumed to include admission to ticketed performances.
For Big Noise Theatre performances, the organization publishes visitor guidance covering parking and accessibility. The theatre operator identifies complimentary parking and asks guests needing wheelchair-accessible seating to contact its box office.
Parking, Location & Getting There
Prairie Lakes Community Center
515 E. Thacker Street
Des Plaines, IL 60016
Cook County, Illinois
Main phone: 847-391-5711
Aquatic Center: 847-390-4949
Park District administration: 847-391-5700
The facility is near Wolf Road and Thacker Street in Des Plaines. Visitors driving from nearby suburbs should enter the full street address rather than search for only “Prairie Lakes,” which may display the park, aquatic center or another nearby amenity.
The Park District’s published rental document identifies roughly 200 parking spaces shared by different uses. For major theatre events, swimming competitions or multiple concurrent rentals, arrive early and follow posted parking directions.
Before You Go: Pick the Right Checklist
- Confirm access pass.
- Check fitness area hours.
- Bring athletic shoes.
- Ask about locker rules.
- Check any renovation alerts.
- Confirm pool schedule.
- Check admission type.
- Review supervision rules.
- Bring towel and swimwear.
- Verify splash-play availability.
- Choose room capacity.
- Check guest count.
- Get current pricing.
- Confirm deposit and setup.
- Read cancellation terms.
Families comparing larger recreation complexes with swimming, fitness and multiple activity schedules can also consult the Eden Prairie Community Center visitor guide, which covers a separate Minnesota facility with additional rink and family recreation amenities.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is Prairie Lakes Community Center?
Prairie Lakes Community Center is at 515 E. Thacker Street, Des Plaines, Illinois 60016, and is operated by the Des Plaines Park District.
2. What is the community center phone number?
The Prairie Lakes Community Center phone number is 847-391-5711. For aquatic-center questions, call 847-390-4949.
3. What are Prairie Lakes Community Center hours?
Recent public listings commonly show Monday through Friday 5:30 AM–10 PM and weekends 7 AM–5 PM, but published schedules disagree. Confirm current hours with the Park District before visiting.
4. Does Prairie Lakes Community Center have a pool?
Yes. Prairie Lakes Aquatic Center is part of the complex, with facilities for lap swimming, wellness swimming, splash play and scheduled aquatic programs.
5. Does Prairie Lakes have a fitness center and walking track?
Yes. The complex includes fitness facilities and an indoor walking track. Access may require an eligible pass or membership, and temporary closures can affect availability.
6. Can I register for classes online?
Yes. Use the Des Plaines Park District WebTrac registration portal to search for eligible programs, select a course, sign in or create a household account, and register.
7. How much are Prairie Lakes room rentals?
The official January 2025 rate sheet lists Mountain View 1 at $50.50 per hour for residents and $106.05 for nonresidents, with other spaces priced separately. Confirm current rates before booking.
8. How many people fit in the largest Mountain View room arrangement?
The combined Mountain View 1, 2 and 3 arrangement has a published capacity of 120 people. Room configurations and event rules determine the final approved setup.
9. Is parking available at Prairie Lakes?
Yes. The Park District’s rental information lists a shared lot capacity of approximately 200 vehicles. Parking is shared with other facility programs and events.
10. How do I rent a meeting room or gymnasium?
Contact Des Plaines Park District at 847-391-5700 or Prairie Lakes at 847-391-5711, confirm the available space and current fees, complete the rental application and follow official contract and payment procedures.
Official Information & Documents
- Des Plaines Park District official website
- Official registration, activities and facility portal
- 2025 facility rental rates, deposits and extra charges
- Prairie Lakes rental application and facility rules
- Fitness and aquatic membership application
- Prairie Lakes Theater performance visitor information
Community-center.org is an independent visitor-information website. It does not manage Prairie Lakes Community Center, collect rental payments, issue memberships or guarantee program availability. Des Plaines Park District remains the authority for current hours, pricing, facilities and reservations.