Last summer, we spent a few wonderful afternoons at this pool. Yes, it's true that it has recently been updated--the actual facility is very nice: Great diving boards, a splash area for littles, a shaded baby pool, and all very clean. We headed out today with the understanding that yes, it would be very busy and that actually getting in through the gate would require patience. We haven't purchased a membership yet, so I brought along just enough cash to get in today.
Well, we got there right at 1:00 pm, which is the opening time according to the CRC website. Hours are 1-7:30, every day. We found parking in the lower lot and strode up the hill to the little card table where they were accepting money and membership applications. Two women brusquely informed me that in fact the pool wouldn't be open until 2 pm. I felt like I was somehow intruding. We decided to play in the splash area, which was open, until 2. An hour rolled by, day camp groups started to file in, and I got back in line with my $3. Apparently, the daily prices had gone up and the website hadn't reflected that. I had to open the website on my phone to read to the older lady who seemed resolute that I somehow produce more money from my bag even though I really didn't have any more on me and we had already waited an hour. Luckily, her associate understood that this wasn't my fault and said that they'd make an exception just this once. I thanked her and proceeded to fill out the daily application card. They didn't actually take my money, which seemed odd to me. Ten minutes later, as we were still waiting to get into the pool area and after I had seen a couple of lifeguards nervously come and go from the application/payment table, one of the women announced that the pool would not be opening until much, much later today and that it would just be best if we tried coming back tomorrow.
I had been watching the lifeguards deal with the pool, and it seemed like the chemicals were the problem. I know nothing about pool maintenance, but I was frustrated that they couldn't have been more prepared and that they couldn't have updated the website with the issues they were having and the price change.
Hopefully they can adopt a better, more cheerful attitude towards their patrons. Good customer service has the power to change the whole atmosphere, even when things aren't going quite right. read more