McMurtrey Aquatic Center

McMurtrey Aquatic Center — City-Run Pools on Q Street

McMurtrey Aquatic Center is the City of Bakersfield's flagship aquatic facility — a 50-meter competition pool plus an 8,551 sq ft recreation pool with zero-depth entry, water slides, and interactive play equipment. The municipal fee structure ($55 city residents) keeps lessons accessible for families priced out of private swim schools.

Swim Lessons for Ages 3 to 17

Level-based progression using Red Cross-aligned standards. Classes include:
- Water Babies (parent-child)
- Preschool swim
- Learn to Swim Levels 1–4
- Adult Swim (teens and beyond)
- Competitive swim team feeder
- Open rec swim
- Water aerobics

What's Included

• 50-meter competition pool and 8,551 sq ft recreation pool
• Zero-depth entry for beginners
• Double water slides and interactive play
• Diving boards and water volleyball area
• City-run fees significantly below private swim schools
• Red Cross-style level progression
• Registration via Bakersfield Parks & Rec

Experience

Kids develop swim competence and water safety in the city's biggest and most amenity-rich aquatic facility, at fees a small fraction of private schools. Best fit for families priced out of private lessons and for kids who enjoy the recreational-pool features as much as the lesson time.