The Aquatic & Fitness Center
The Mary Jo Peckham Aquatic & Fitness Center is the only aquatic and fitness center run by Harris County Precinct 4: an indoor short-course pool in a natatorium, a gym with fitness machines, and free instructor-led classes, serving Katy since 1994.
What's here
- An indoor short-course pool in a natatorium.
- Lap swimming, water walking, recreation and splash time.
- Water exercise, deep-water exercise and arthritis classes.
- American Red Cross swim lessons and children's water-safety programs.
- A fitness center with machines, and free classes such as Zumba, yoga, Pilates and cardio interval training.
Good to know
The center is open Monday to Friday 7 a.m.–7 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Some programs need advance registration or have age or skill requirements; call 832-927-8890 for schedules.
The pool
The indoor pool is a short-course pool inside a natatorium, so it's usable all year regardless of Houston's heat or rain. The schedule mixes lap swimming and water walking with recreational and open swim times, including splash time for younger children.
Water fitness is a specialty here: water exercise, deep-water exercise and arthritis aquatic classes are popular with older adults, and the center offers American Red Cross swim lessons and children's water-safety programs.
The fitness center
The gym has fitness machines and hosts free instructor-led classes, led by certified Precinct 4 instructors: Zumba, yoga, Pilates, cardio interval training and total-body workouts. A senior outdoor exercise area in the park adds more equipment outside.
Who it's for
The center describes itself as a place for all ages and abilities, and its regulars range from toddlers in swim lessons to seniors rebuilding strength after surgery; one regular, now 101, began coming at 75. Some activities have capacity, age or skill-level requirements, so check before you go.
Getting started
Call 832-927-8890 or check Precinct 4's programming calendar for current pool and class schedules. Stop by the front desk on your first visit to ask about registration. The same desk lends out mini golf clubs and balls.
Tips
Lap lanes are busiest early on weekday mornings. Bring a lock, towel and goggles, and check the schedule for lane availability before a workout. Pair a swim with a walk around the lake loop outside.
See the rest of the park
Pool & Fitness Center is one of 6 featured areas at Mary Jo Peckham Park.