This facility is really amazing. We had a birthday party here and many other friends loved it and had their parties there too. During the parties, the staff was so great and helpful.
Going during a regular recreation swim time is another story. FIrst of all, the public session are only 2 hours long. So make sure to arrive at least 1/2 hour early because they let only 300 people in (including all adults and kids). Then there are the rules. There are tons and tons of rules. I am fine with rules if they are there for a reason or if it protects someone. Mostly these rules and just rules to have RULES!
1. When you line up in front of the facility you have to listen to the long list of rules, then you are moved to the front of building and then you are guided to go in and pay in small groups. It's cheap ($1.50 for kids and $2.50 for adults - so I guess you get what you pay for.) You get a small ticket and a number. Now, you go BACK outside to line up again in order of your number. Then, you go back across the street to line up to go in - yes, that's a lot of lining up. If you happen to get out of numerical order - they freak out and won't let you in. Stay in order - OMG - why does that matter? Just count off the first 300 people, let them in to pay and that's it! So crazy!
BREATHE!
2. Now you are finally in the facility. You must shower before entering the pool. Fine. Then if you are under 6 years old, you must have a parent or guardian in the water with you at all times. If you are 6 and over - go free and swim - there's lots of lifeguards watching. The nice thing about this pool is that it has a gradual shallow end so all will enjoy it - even non-swimmers. The deep end isn't really that deep either - maybe 4 feet? But all good.
3. NOW - here's the craziest rule. If you want to bring your towel or flip flops to the pool deck you better have someone watching them for you at all times. If you leave anything on the pool deck for even a second unattended, the staff scoops in and takes your things to the lost and found. They do have a locker room and changing facilities and a free valet that will take all your belongings and store them for you. But now you have no towel and no shoes on a slimy wet dirty floor. Yuk. I ended up watching our stuff on the pool deck and if we had to go in to use the restroom or something, I'd ask a neighboring parent to watch our stuff for us. The lamest part of the whole thing is that now you have tons of kids walking around wet and cold and in danger of slipping because they have no shoes and no towels. I told the supervisor that this was a prescription for disaster and he agreed and said they are working on getting mats for the hallways - here's an idea - give people their towels and shoes back! Why can't you leave your towel on the pool deck? I've never heard of such a thing. So odd!
4. No outside food or drink allowed but they do have a snack bar with cheap things for sale like drinks, popsicles, chips etc - mostly junk - but I guess you can survive for 2 hours.
5. The Slide - this is the best part of the whole deal. This was the redeeming thing for us. Of course there are rules with the slide too: You must be at least 4 feet tall (and they measure you) and you can't go down with a friend. You have to wait in groups of 5 at the top or at the landing - why? I don't know. You can't go down until they give you the signal but it is a very fun slide. Oh and you can't have your goggles on - not even on your head.
Basically, if you can, have a private party and rent it for your friiends and family. IF not, it's worth it to go on open swim day, just be prepared for the rules and know that at least the pool is clean and nice. Most of the staff is nice and know the rules are super lame. One lifeguard was even apologetic - he said "I wish I could just say - go have fun!" But alas he can't - it's a RULE!! read more