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Swimmers enjoying the pool at JCC Buffalo
 
Aquatics at JCC Buffalo

Swim Lessons, Lap Swim & Water Fitness for Every Age

With heated indoor pools in both Buffalo and Amherst and a seasonal outdoor pool in Amherst, JCC Buffalo offers ways to enjoy the water at every age and stage.

Whether you're helping your child become comfortable in the water, swimming laps, building your skills or finding a lower-impact way to stay active, our aquatics programs are designed to help you feel confident, supported and welcome.

Pool Access Is Included With Membership

Every JCC membership includes unlimited access to both indoor pools and our seasonal outdoor pool, with no extra aquatics fee. Memberships start at $40.99/month for young adults and $91.99/month for a family plan.

Ways to Get in the Water

Aquatics Fitness & Swim Lessons

Get moving, build confidence, and make the most of your time in the water with aquatics group fitness classes and swim instruction at JCC Buffalo.

Aquatics group fitness class at JCC Buffalo
Included With Membership

Aquatics Group Fitness

Build strength, improve mobility, and stay active with a workout that's easier on your joints. JCC Buffalo water fitness classes offer options for all fitness levels, from gentle movement to more energetic aquatic workouts.

Aquatics group fitness classes are included with JCC membership. Aqua HIIT is offered separately as a fee-based program.

 
View Group Fitness Schedule ➜
Swim lesson instruction at JCC Buffalo
Private & Group Instruction

Swim Lessons

Build confidence, improve technique, and develop stronger swimming skills with instruction designed to meet each swimmer where they are. Lessons are available in private sessions or in weekly group classes.

Swim lessons require an additional fee, and JCC members save 15% off the listed price.

 
Explore Swim Lessons ➜
Plan Your Swim

Pool Hours & Schedules

Find current pool hours, explore each JCC Buffalo aquatics facility, and view the latest schedules for lap swim, classes, lessons, and other pool activities.

Amherst & Buffalo

Indoor Pool Hours

Monday–Thursday 5:30 am–8:30 pm
Friday 5:30 am–7:30 pm
Saturday–Sunday 8:00 am–5:30 pm
Amherst

Outdoor Pool Hours

Monday–Friday 7:00 am–8:00 pm
Saturday–Sunday 8:00 am–8:00 pm
Seasonal: Open June–September.

Explore Our Pools

Each JCC Buffalo pool offers a different aquatics experience, from year-round lap swimming and lessons to seasonal outdoor recreation.

Leo Chapin indoor pool with lap lanes at JCC Buffalo in Amherst
Indoor · Amherst

Leo Chapin Pool

Benderson Family Building
5 Lanes 25 Yards 12 ft Max Depth

The Leo Chapin Pool features five 25-yard lanes, a 12-foot maximum depth, and a spectator balcony overlooking the pool. It hosts aquatics group fitness, swim lessons, certification courses, training, and the J-Rays Swim Club.

 
View Amherst Indoor Schedule ➜
Richard Zakalik indoor pool at the JCC Buffalo Holland Family Building in Buffalo
Indoor · Buffalo

Richard Zakalik Pool

Holland Family Building
4 Lanes 25 Yards 9 ft Max Depth

The Richard Zakalik Pool features four 25-yard lanes, a 9-foot maximum depth, and spectator bleachers. The pool supports lap swimming, swim lessons, group water-fitness classes, and the J-Rays Swim Club for swimmers of all levels.

 
View Buffalo Indoor Schedule ➜
Grossman Family Outdoor Pool Complex at JCC Buffalo in Amherst
Outdoor · Amherst

Grossman Family Outdoor Pool Complex

Benderson Family Building
5 Lap Lanes 25 Yards Toddler Pool

The Grossman Family Outdoor Pool Complex features five 25-yard lap lanes with a maximum depth of 5.5 feet, plus a dedicated toddler pool with a maximum depth of 2 feet. Open seasonally, the complex also features outdoor pickleball courts, beach volleyball courts, and the Snack Shack for summer family fun, fitness, and recreation.

 
View Outdoor Pool Schedule ➜
Adaptive Aquatics

Au-Some Swimmers

An adaptive swim program at JCC Buffalo designed to help children with autism build confidence, develop swimming skills, and feel comfortable in the water.

Adaptive Au-Some Swim Lessons

Swim Instruction Built Around Each Child

Au-Some Swim provides supportive, adaptive swim instruction designed to help children with autism build confidence, comfort and skills in the water.

What Makes Au-Some Swimmers Special?

✓
One-on-one or small-group lessons tailored to each child
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Trained instructors experienced in working with neurodiverse children
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Sensory-friendly teaching methods and equipment
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Emphasis on safety, fun, and confidence-building
Request More Information ➜
See Au-Some Swimmers in Action

Watch how individualized instruction and encouragement help young swimmers become more comfortable, confident, and independent in the water.

Rent a Pool for Your Next Celebration

From birthday parties to team celebrations, our pools set the perfect scene for your event.

Inquire About Pool Rentals
Safe Swimming Starts With Everyone

Pool Rules

To help keep everyone safe and comfortable, please review and follow these rules while using the pool and surrounding areas.

1
The Health Department requires all patrons to take a cleansing shower with soap before entering the pool.
2
Being on the pool deck is prohibited unless a lifeguard is on duty.
3
Running, rough play, dunking, wrestling, pushing people into the pool, or other improper conduct is prohibited.
4
Diving is only permitted in water deeper than 9 feet and must be forward-facing.
5
Please refrain from extended breath holding (hypoxic training).
6
Objects deemed dangerous or unsafe by lifeguards are not permitted in the pool area.
7
Swimmers must wear swimwear, such as swimsuits or trunks, before entering the pool.
8
Food or refreshments may be consumed only in designated areas; glass is not permitted.
9
Bandages must be removed before entering the pool.
10
Persons with open sores or skin diseases are not permitted in the pool.
11
It is forbidden to contaminate the swimming pool. This includes urinating, defecating, spitting, or blowing your nose in the pool.
12
Children who are not toilet-trained must wear snug-fitting swim diapers.
13
Bringing any animal, other than a registered service animal, onto the immediate premises is strictly prohibited.
14
All children under 15 years of age must be accompanied by an adult on the pool deck.
15
Children under 6 years of age must have an adult in the water.
16
Any child who cannot swim the length of the pool unassisted must have an adult in the water.
17
Only Coast Guard-approved and labeled personal flotation devices may be worn, and only with direct adult supervision. Each individual wearing a personal flotation device must be accompanied by an adult in the pool, within arm's reach.
18
Pool deck chairs and loungers must remain 6 feet back from the pool edge at all times.

Please follow all lifeguard instructions. Lifeguards may restrict activities or equipment when necessary to help maintain a safe pool environment.

Aquatics FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers about pool access, swim lessons, aquatics fitness, adaptive swimming, and other JCC Buffalo aquatics offerings.

What are JCC Buffalo's pool hours?
Pool hours vary by location, season, and scheduled programming. This page lists current standard hours, and visitors can use each pool's aquatics schedule to view lap swim, open swim, classes, and program availability.
Does JCC membership include pool access?
Yes. JCC membership includes access to our heated indoor pools in Buffalo and Amherst, plus the seasonal outdoor pool in Amherst when open. Certain instructional programs, private lessons, and specialty programs may have additional fees.
Does JCC Buffalo offer adult swim lessons?
Yes. JCC Buffalo offers adult learn-to-swim lessons. Visit our swim lessons page and select the Group Swim Lessons information for the building where you'd like to participate.
Is there a water aerobics class at JCC Buffalo?
Yes. JCC Buffalo offers water-based group fitness opportunities designed for a variety of fitness levels. Current classes and schedules may vary by location and season, so check the group fitness schedule for the latest offerings.
Does JCC Buffalo offer adaptive swim lessons for children with autism?
Yes. Our Au-Some Swimmers program provides personalized, sensory-aware swim instruction designed to help children build comfort, confidence, and skills in the water. Use the request information button in the Au-Some Swimmers section of this page to learn more.
Can I rent a JCC Buffalo pool for a party or event?
Yes. Pool rental opportunities are available for parties and events. See the Pool Rentals section of this page for additional information and rental options.
EXPLORE OUR AQUATICS PAGES