Quick answer
Aspire @ The Park is a Wakefield Council leisure centre in Pontefract Park, with a 10-lane, 25-metre pool and a climbing zone. It suits a rainy day. On 13 November 2026 a junior swim cost £3.80, an adult swim £6.20 and a family swim £12.90. An under 4 swim session is free. In a main pool, one responsible person aged 16 or over can supervise only one child under 4. A term-time daytime exception is explained below. Swim times are not the same as centre hours, so check the timetable first. No child should be in the water for more than 1 hour 30 minutes, unless agreed with the site’s management team.
Is it right for my child?
- Pool: 10 lanes and 25 metres long. On 13 November 2026 the swim timetable listed a Main Pool and a Studio Pool here.
- Fun sessions: that day it described Fun Sessions with floats and toys, and Inflatable Sessions on a giant pool inflatable obstacle course.
- Climbing zone: a bouldering wall and a speed climb.
Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist
- Pick your session on the swim timetable. Select your Aspire site from the drop-down first, because it may not show automatically.
- Count your adults. A main pool is one where any water is over 1.2 metres deep. There, one responsible person aged 16 or over can supervise 2 children aged 4 to 8, or 1 child under 4. In a studio pool 1.2 metres deep or less, one can supervise 2 children under 4.
- Term-time daytime exception: the Aspire page says one adult can take 2 children under 4 between 9.15am and 2.45pm, in term time only. Both must wear armbands or other approved buoyancy aids. They must stay in the designated non-swimmer areas, up to the blue marker.
- Pack a swim nappy. Standard nappies are not suitable in the pool, and swim nappies may be bought at reception.
- Non-swimmers must wear armbands or suitable floatation aids, unless closely supervised one-to-one by a responsible person aged 16 or over who can swim. Children in armbands stay in the designated shallow areas, except in instructor-led sessions or at management discretion for disability or carer-led length swimming.
- No photos without permission from site management, even of your own children.
Prices and tickets
From the council’s swimming prices page on 13 November 2026:
- Junior swim: £3.80, or £1.90 when supervised by an adult Aspire member, who must take part in the same activity.
- Adult swim: £6.20. Family swim: £12.90. The table does not say how many people a family ticket covers.
- Under 4s: free, with the supervision rules above.
- Family fun sessions: £3.80 per person. The table does not say whether under 4s pay for these.
Climbing zone: adult £5.60, junior £3.40, shoe hire £2.80. Harness hire is £10 for adults and £5 for juniors, both refundable.
Carers: the admissions policy says carers who supervise and support a service user pay no admission fee. They are logged in at reception and show proof of care status on the first visit. They must stay close and never leave the person unattended. A carer who only helps in the changing rooms pays to take part in an activity.
Pushchairs, babies and toilets
- Each Aspire site has dedicated parking, toilets and changing facilities, says the disability access page. For family changing room access, speak to reception.
- Babies: the policy recommends first inoculations before swimming, and a shorter time in the pool, because babies lose heat more quickly.
- The official pages do not mention baby changing or pushchair storage.
Food and drink
The council’s Pontefract Park page says Cafe@thePark is inside the Aspire building and is open 7 days a week. On 13 November 2026 it listed Monday 8.30am to 5pm, Tuesday 8.30am to 4pm, Wednesday 9am to 7pm and Thursday 8.30am to 4.30pm. Friday was 8.30am to 3.30pm, Saturday 8.30am to 4pm and Sunday 9am to 4pm. No hot drinks or breakable cups, bottles or glass may go on poolside or into changing areas.
Getting there and parking
The council gives the address as Aspire@thepark, Pontefract Park, Park Road, Pontefract, WF8 4QD.
- Parking: regular, disabled and cycle parking, plus EV chargers. The page does not mention parking charges.
- Buses: services 140, 141 and 147.
When to visit
Centre hours on 13 November 2026 were Monday to Friday 7.15am to 9.30pm, and Saturday and Sunday 8.15am to 5.30pm.
On 13 November 2026 the swim timetable for 13 November to 13 December showed this weekly pattern:
- Public swims: every day we checked. At weekends they ran in the Main Pool from 8.30am to 2.30pm, partly in half the pool. Public, lane and Parent and Toddler sessions are non-bookable.
- Parent and Toddler: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 10.30am to 12pm, in the Studio Pool.
- Fun Sessions: Fridays 5pm to 6pm, plus Saturdays and Sundays 3pm to 4pm and 4.15pm to 5.15pm.
- Inflatables: the booking system called the Sunday sessions Inflatable Fun Sessions. The swim timetable also listed Studio Pool Inflatable Sessions on Fridays and Sundays.
The booking system listed these Friday to Sunday sessions every weekend from 13 November to 20 December. The Aspire page’s own timetable showed no pool session on Friday 27 November, but the booking system did.
Christmas: on 13 November 2026 the booking system showed no fun sessions on 25 or 26 December. It listed two on Sunday 27 December and none from 28 to 31 December. The pages we read did not give Christmas or New Year opening times.
Additional needs and disability support
On 13 November 2026 the council’s disability access page listed these at Aspire At the Park.
- Wheelchair accessibility, a lift and an evacuation chair.
- Pool access: 2 DAP lifts, 2 Pool PODs, an Aqua tilt Pool-pod, a track hoist and a moveable pool floor. Tell reception if you need a pool pod or lift, so a staff member can operate it.
- A height adjustable shower trolley.
- Guide, hearing and assistance dogs are welcome in dry side areas.
- Before a first visit: the admissions policy says disabled visitors should have a Personal Emergency Egress Plan, with a risk assessment referring to their Care Plan. Contact the site’s Assistant Manager on your first visit.
The official pages do not mention relaxed or sensory swim sessions, or a Changing Places toilet, here.
Frequently asked questions
Is swimming free for under 4s?
Yes, an under 4 swim session is free, with the ratios and term-time exception in the checklist.
Do I need to book a Fun Session?
The council’s Family Fun Swim page says to book through the Aspire Health App or the facility page timetable. Places are limited. On 13 November 2026 the swim timetable said Fun and Inflatable Sessions need pre-booking by contacting the site directly.
Can my 8 year old swim without me?
Under the general rules, competent swimmers aged 8 and over may enter the pool without a responsible person. A swimmer can swim a recognised stroke confidently and unaided for 25 metres or more, and perform a safe self-rescue. A responsible person aged 16 or over must stay in the building and be available to supervise in the changing areas. All children under 11 must be accompanied on site at all times. The Family Fun Swim page says children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times in those sessions.
Can children use the climbing wall?
Children aged 4 to 15 need an induction. Normally a responsible person aged 16 or over, also inducted, must accompany and supervise them, at up to 3 children each. In a structured session with staff present, that person must stay in the main building, but not the climbing hall. A first induction is free: phone 01977 722188. There are none on Fridays after 5pm, or weekends after 3pm. Climbers sign a waiver and wear no hoodies or jewellery. Climbing shoes must be hired unless you bring your own, and only harnesses hired from reception can be used.
Is Aspire @ The Park wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The council lists wheelchair accessibility, a lift and the pool equipment above.
Checked on 13 November 2026 against the official Wakefield Council pages for Aspire@ThePark, swimming timetables, swimming prices, Family Fun Swim, Climbing Zone, admissions policy, disability access and Pontefract Park. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.
