
Our facilities are open to students, U of M staff, U of M alumni and the general community. With a Bison Recreation Services membership, you have access to the following:
Frank Kennedy Centre (Fort Garry Campus)
Max Bell Centre (Fort Garry Campus)
Joe Doupe Centre (Bannatyne Campus)
Bison Recreation Services offers FREE Group Fitness class to all members! Classes are fun, unique and challenging! You’ll be sure to walk away from any of our classes with a boost of energy! Registration is not required and all skill levels are welcome. All fitness instructors are accredited through the Manitoba Fitness Council (MFC).
Bison Recreation Services offers over 500 hours/week of convenient open gym, court, ice rink and pool times for informal recreation. Pick-up basketball, squash, racquetball, tennis, badminton, lane swimming and ice hockey are just some of the sports you can try during a time that fits your schedule. Our Drop-In schedule is updated monthly and published on our web site.
Want to try a new sport or activity but don’t have the right gear? Not to worry! We have a great selection of sports and recreation equipment that you can sign out at any of one our three customer service desk locations. All our equipment can be signed out at no cost to our members with the exception of our tennis, squash, racquetball and badminton racquet rentals. Your student, staff or recreation services card is required to check-out rental equipment. Please note that equipment varies by location.
| Fort Garry Campus Rental List (PDF) | Bannatyne Campus Rental List (PDF) |
Whether you’re new to the gym and would like to know how to get started or you’re a faithful member looking for something new...Take 20 minutes to attend a Free Gritty Grotto Exercise Session! For more information, talk to one of our Fitness Attendants or call the Grotto Fitness Attendant desk at 474-7971.
Members can reserve squash and racquetball courts 48 hours in advance by calling the Frank Kennedy customer service desk at 474-6100. Tennis courts and table tennis tables can also be booked 48 hours in advance by calling the Max Bell customer service desk at 474-8634.
Non-members are only eligible for same day bookings.
Squash & Racquetball/Walleyball Courts (Frank Kennedy Centre)
Tennis Courts & Table Tennis (Max Bell Centre)
We have a fully certified and trained staff of Fitness Attendants that are stationed in our Grotto Fitness Centre during all operating hours. Our Fitness Attendants (wearing the orange golf shirts) are on-hand to ensure a safe and respectable exercise environment for our membership while at the same time striving to inspire and educate our members about the benefits of adopting an active, healthy lifestyle.
Our Fitness Attendants are certified by the Manitoba Fitness Council or Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology and all are equipped with CPR/First Aid and AED training. So whether you have a question about your current fitness program, need some help using our equipment or simply need a spot, call upon your Fitness Attendant today.
All members and drop-in users are welcome to use our day-use lockers at no charge. Users may provide their own lock and rental locks are available. Please remember that our day-use lockers are emptied at the end of the day.
Members don’t work out alone! We understand that it’s way more fun to work out with a friend. That’s why Bison Recreation Services has designated the third Wednesday of every month as Buddy Day! Members can bring a friend a friend (free of charge!) to join you for a work-out, swim, game of squash, fitness class or whatever it is your want to do! All members who bring a Buddy are automatically entered to win some great prizes.
Going away for an extended period of time? Bison Recreation Services can freeze all 12-month memberships for 30, 60 or 90 days at a cost of $12 per month. To qualify, please fill out a membership freeze application in person at one of our three customer service desk locations.
Medical extensions are also available, at no charge, when you provide written notification from your physician. A note from a medical doctor is required within 30 days of the patient assessment to qualify.
Love your membership? Do you wish you had purchased a longer term to take advantage of our incredible rates? No problem! Upgrade your membership within 30 days of original purchase date & pay only the difference! (Not applicable to 1 month purchases).
University of Manitoba Faculty and Staff may be eligible for payroll deduction for membership, including membership for immediate family members.
Payroll Deduction for membership, locker and towel service is available to U of M employees who are permanent, permanent part-time, grant-funded or reduced appointment staff. Full-time HSC, CCMB, DSM employees are also eligible for payroll deduction. Part-time or casual staff are not eligible. Talk to our one of customer service staff to see if you qualify.
Visiting another school? Use their recreation centre for free when you travel!
Bison Recreation Services is a participating member of the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) Health & Wellness Passport Program. This program provides free access for faculty and staff that are Bison Rec. Services members at the recreation facilities of other participating schools. Students may also qualify if they are both Bison Recreation Services and NIRSA members.
To register, verify that the school you are visiting is a participating member and send an email to Charwin.Dahl@ad.umanitoba.ca requesting a Passport voucher. NIRSA staff will then email you a passport within two business days.
For more information on the Passport program and for a list of participating schools, please visit NIRSA.org
One towel/visit - $5.50/month NEW! Two towels/visit - $8.25/month - Buy Two Towels and get the second towel at 50% off!
Locker Service:
Half Locker is $7.00 / monthFull Locker is $12.00 / month
* A $25 (refundable) deposit is required for locker service.
** Locker and towel service can be purchased at ANY time after your membership begins and is pro-rated at the time of purchase to expire on the same date as your membership.
***Prices include all applicable taxes.
Here are some options for you:
Drop-in Day Pass
Child (5 & under)* FREE
Adult (15 & up) $10
Youth (6-14)* $5
Family (2 adults & 2 youth) $22
*Adult Supervison is required at all times.
Punch Card Pass $35
The Punch-Card gives your four drop-in visits and one program visit for only $35 (retail value $45). And, if you decide to buy a membership within 14 days of purchasing your Punch-Card, we will deduct the price of the Punch-Card from your membership purchase. Take advantage of this incredible value and try us out today!
For more information on our programming, please visit our program page. For a list a complete list of available programs for punch card pass holders please see the pdf below. Please note that Punch-Card pass holders may substitute their program visit for an additional facility visit.
Bison Recreation Services is committed to providing a wide variety of programs to meet all of your active living needs. We offer Fitness, Wellness, Aquatics, Martial Arts, Dance and Recreation programming all year long! We also provide a full complement of Certification & Training programs including First Aid and CPR. There are endless options to keep you active with over 300 classes offered annually starting in January, April, June and September. Please see the Programs page of our website for program details including class descriptions, pricing and on-line registration.
Did you know that Bison Recreation Services employs a team of fully certified Fitness Testing & Personal Training professionals? Our professional staff will make every effort to help you on your journey towards an active, healthy lifestyle!
The Bison Athletic Therapy Centre (BATC) services our intercollegiate athletes, U of Manitoba students, faculty and staff and the general public. BATC is associated with the Health Care Coalition, a group that consists of direct care providers (on campus) who are coordinated to improve the quality of health care available to the campus community. The 3500 square foot centre features 8 examination tables, an exercise rehabilitation area, a hydrotherapy room, two physician examination rooms and a team room.
BATC is located on the second floor of the Investors Group Athletic Centre, Room 231, 75 Sidney Smith Street. For more information please contact Bison Athletic Therapy directly at 474-6596 or visit the BATC homepage.
Most of our athletic facilities are available for private rental. Availability and rate information can be found at http://bisonactiveliving.ca/facilities
Forgot your shampoo? Lost your racquetball? Tear a skate lace? No problem. Our customer service desks carry a full complement of court/table tennis balls, badminton birdies, skate laces, hockey pucks, swim goggles and swim caps in addition to a variety of toiletry items. Item availability may vary by location.
| Fort Garry Campus Rental List (PDF) | Bannatyne Campus Rental List (PDF) |
Give the gift of active living! We offer gift certificates in any denomination that can be used for most of our services. Available at our customer service desks
Are you a U of M student that is about to graduate? Worried about getting a job and paying bills? Let Bison Recreation Services help alleviate some of your stress. Purchase or renew your student membership before you graduate and you will continue to receive the student rate for membership as long as you do not let it expire.

