A place for everyone to feel included.
At Vivo we believe we all deserve to be part of the story of healthier generations. We’ve worked hard to create spaces and programs for everyone to enjoy, regardless of their skills or abilities. Our Guest Services team is happy to help you plan your visit. Email guestservices@vivo.ca.
PLANNING YOUR VISIT
Fee support
Money shouldn’t be a barrier to good health. To learn more about subsidy options that ensure everyone gets a chance to add a little Vivo to their life, explore our fee assistance options. Learn more.
Parking
You’ll find Accessible and Parent parking in both our East and West Lots. These spots offer widened stalls and are conveniently located close to curb cuts and entrances.
Public Transit
We located just two short blocks from the North Point bus terminal. The 86, 114, 123, 124 and 142 bus routes will all drop you off within a block of us.
Getting Here
Dedicated barrier free parking stalls, widened crosswalks and sidewalks along with drop off zones and curb cuts and fully automated sliding doors translate to smooth sailing to get inside our building.
Service Animals
We recognize the vital importance of service dogs to their handlers. We warmly welcome registered service dogs. Service dogs must be appropriately indicated as a working dog (ie. harness or tags) to enter Vivo.
Unfortunately, due to health & safety concerns, service dogs are not permitted in the pool. While they are welcome in the pool viewing area, they must be accompanied at all times, including while their handler swims.
Accessible Playground
Outside of Vivo, the inclusive playground offers kids of all abilities the chance to play together. The playground’s universal design and unique equipment like the inclusive swingset make it easy to participate from a wheelchair.
Regional Pathways
You don’t need a car to get to Vivo. We’re easy to access from the regional pathway system, which helps our guests choose active travel a part of their health journey.
First Aid and CPR Training
To help keep Vivo a safe and healthy place for every body, we ensure all staff have Standard First Aid and CPR training before they start work with us. Then we pay for staff to get re-certified every two years so those skills don’t get rusty.
Accessible Programs
Vivo partners with a number of organizations that offer accessible programming. Calgary Power Hockey offers an adaptive hockey program for participants 12 years or older who require an electric wheelchair for daily mobility. The Autism Aspergers Friendship Society offers adaptive lacrosse and rugby. Email info@vivo.ca to learn more about current offerings.
WHILE YOU’RE HERE
Transferring Between Floors
It’s your choice! You can ‘ramp up’ your heartrate on the main ramp or save the sweating for your workout and use our 6.75 foot by 5.45 foot elevator instead.
COMING SOON IN 2023
Sensory Bags
Everyone processes busy environments differently. Sensory bags will be available for guests to borrow, at no charge, when you visit Vivo, all thanks to Variety – The Children’s Charity of Alberta. Packed with resources to help with self-regulation, these packs will offer tactile items, attention focusing tools and over-the-ear noise cancelling headphones. Just visit a Welcome Desk, show some ID, provide a $10 deposit and we’ll hook you up!
Universal Washrooms
Universal washrooms will be located throughout the building at the following locations: the Indoor Park, at the Fitness Centre, the Aquatic Centre and beside the Cafe. They will each be equipped with tactile signage, accessible doors, horizontal and angled grab bars and a call button. And of course, all washroom accessories will be mounted at accessible heights and clearances.
Play Pool
Our Play Pool will feature beach style entry, so you can join the fun from a wheelchair, with a walker or another assistive device.
Accessible Lane Pool
We know swimming and water therapy are some of the best activities for folks using assistive devices. To ensure everyone can participate, our new pool will feature a wheelchair ramp.
Thanks to funding from Calgary Adapted Hub, we will also offer a pool lift for those not able to use a water wheelchair. Adult and youth sized water wheelchairs will be available at no cost, along with accessible hand bikes and a water walking assistant. Water wheelchairs will be available on the pool deck on a first-come, first-served basis.
Steam Room and Sauna
An accessible steam room, sauna and fireside gathering area will complement the pools and promote wellness beyond swimming. The steam room and sauna both feature a 1,500 mm turning radius and grab bars help with transfers from wheelchairs to seating surfaces.
Universal Changerooms
Getting ready for your workout shouldn’t be a hassle. Individual change and shower rooms will ensure family members or caregivers of the opposite gender can provide assistance with dignity. Roll under trough sinks and a wide circulation path will offer lots of room to maneuver. A lift and adult-sized change table will add convenience. This changeroom will also be a welcoming place for guests who prefer an alternative to our gender-specific changerooms.
Accessible Lockers
Located directly outside the Universal Changeroom, these lockers will intentionally be installed at a lower height for convenient access from a wheelchair. They will also feature latches specially selected to be friendlier to folks with limited hand strength.
FITNESS CENTRE
Accessible Fitness Equipment
We’ll set up exercise equipment that could reasonably be used by a person in a wheelchair on a barrier free path of travel in the fitness centre. We’ll also leave a clear floor space of at least 920 mm x 1,220 mm beside the accessible equipment so you’ve got room to flex and grow!
A raised exercise platform will be available as an alternative to stretching on the floor for users with reduced mobility.
Gender Neutral Washrooms
Everyone deserves access to good health. Located off our Indoor Park and pool, our Gender Neutral Washrooms will be for everyone, regardless of age, gender, race, religion and ability. Roll under trough sinks and a wide circulation path leave plenty of room to navigate with strollers, wheelchairs or walkers.
Lactation Room
Vivo is a lactation-friendly facility. Nursing is welcomed throughout our spaces. If you prefer a quieter, more private setting, you’ll soon have the option of using our Lactation Room. Located in the Gender Neutral Washroom adjacent to the Indoor Park, it’ll be equipped with a comfortable chair, a sink and plenty of space for stroller and diaper bags. We will also include a few toys to amuse older brothers or sisters while they wait.
Indoor Park
This unique, open, multi-use space was designed to offer barrier free walking and socializing space in any weather, so smoky skies, slippery sidewalks and rollercoasting temperatures don’t stop you. Even the jungle gym has accessible attachments to ensure everyone can hang out.