YMCA

I like the YMCA. However, this YMCA does not adequately address the needs of families wanting to swim together. The kiddie area is way too small, and if you enter into the resistance circular area (that gobbles up ¹⁄₃ of the kiddie area) when there are no adults there or outside of the small allotted time– let’s just say kids are treated like they are half members. You’re promptly reminded there’s YOUR dinky little spot to swim– stay there– even if the pool is empty. Because it’s too small the little kids can’t really swim. It’s very frustrating. Then, the older people who can take up area in the little kid area (the only somewhat swim able sliver), leave their «therapy» toys laying around, so when a child picks it up thinking they can play with it– NO– that kick board/​floatie/​ball is not for you!!! Why not redirect the older people to put their stuff away!!! basically if you have a child between 3−17yrs old –you have one hour to swim during the school week, when they should be going to bed– 8:30 — 9:15- to swim. They also want you out quickly because they’re closing– great fun trying to do with small kids or if you have a small child (ren) with or one with special needs. Yesterday, they decided it’d be a good idea to take away the public pool time– to accommodate swim competition that SHOULD be happening in their bigger pool. We called there to make SURE it was open because we showed up yesterday to find out the KIDDIE POOL was closed!!! Apparently they felt taking up the family side of the pool for a competition meant the kiddie side had to close. My toddler was in TEARS. The closure wasn’t listed on the pool schedule– and the person answering the phone said it was open. So my husband gets there after we reassured my toddler who didn’t want to go because it was so disappointing yesterday– and IT’S CLOSED AGAIN for swim meets!!! What are we paying for? Yes, my toddler’s in TEARS again. Two days in a row. I know this YMCA is doing well. They don’t NEED to take on events that take away from other members. It’s not right. It would make sense if they scheduled their «Water Aerobics» at closing– and shorten their lessons so FAMILIES can be together in the pool after 6 pm– and leave by 8. But that would require the goal being on bringing families together instead of catering to extra fee activities. If the water aerobic people can’t handle a slot this late– what makes them think small children can? But who do they want to keep happy? The allotted swim times are inadequate and unrealistic.