Caldwell YMCA

★★★Tricia Taylor

We've been coming here for swim lessons and we are far from impressed about the lessons our kids have received here compared to the other YMCA's we have been to. The instructor is not encouraging our kids to participate in the lessons nor are they going over new skills, just the skills from the previous levels our children have already passed through. The facility is nice enough and it's clean.

★mein_111

I went there today and the life guards in the pool maybe me and my partner extremely uncomfortable they looked at us non stop and talked to each other made us feel very unwelcomed. I don't think I'd come back again . And we only swam for ONE HOUR!!! after that hour we left because of how they were treating us. I wouldn't recommend to go .

★Clarke Chapman

I’ve been a member of the Caldwell YMCA for quite a while, and unfortunately my experiences with the pool have become increasingly frustrating. The biggest issue is the lack of consistency in how rules are applied. It feels like every time we come swimming, the expectations change depending on which lifeguard happens to be working that day. My daughter is a capable swimmer and typically receives the green necklace indicating she is approved to swim. However, this wasn’t always the case. When we first started going, she couldn’t pass the swim test and was told she couldn’t use certain areas because she didn’t have the green necklace. Instead of arguing, we took that feedback seriously and started going swimming regularly so she could improve. She worked hard and eventually became a proficient swimmer and now consistently passes the test and receives the green necklace. For approximately the past 6–9 months she has been using the waterslide independently while I supervise, from within the pool I'm always in the water with my kids. It's not like they're in there all by themselves. Multiple lifeguards have allowed this without issue. However, during our most recent visit a lifeguard who identified himself as the “head lifeguard” (his name is Thain) told her she could not use the slide and even shut the slide off when she walked up to use it. The reason he gave was that she was “too short.” Are you kidding me??? I'm sure they'll respond with some kind of excuse. Considering that she now consistently passes the swim test and is clearly capable in the water, being denied access simply because of her height feels discriminatory rather than based on ability or safety. Before she had the green necklace the explanation was that she needed to pass the swim test. Now that she passes the test and has the green necklace, they are giving a different reason for not allowing her to use the slide. Later during the same visit we were also corrected for playing with dive toys and for her jumping into the water in an area where we have done the same thing many times before without issue. When rules change from visit to visit and even within the same visit, it starts to feel like families are simply at the mercy of whichever lifeguard happens to be on duty, and whether or not they know, or understand their own rules and regulations. Or perhaps they are just making up a new regulations as they go. I've never been to a swimming pool before that has such crazy expectations of the patrons. It's like we have a group of insurance lawyers looking over their shoulders, perhaps they do. I wonder what those lawyers would have to say about discrimination? There have also been several (and I do mean several it's been going on for months) other instances where my daughter and some of my other kids were corrected or accused of things they didn’t do. Over time it begins to feel like we are being singled out. Another issue is the swim testing system itself. Swimmers are required to take the swim test every single time they visit the pool to receive the necklace for that session. If someone comes daily, that means taking the same test daily. A much better system would be to link swim ability to the member profile and have the front desk issue the necklace at check-in so lifeguards can focus on supervising the pool rather than running redundant tests. Cleanliness is also a concern. The floors in the men’s locker room and restroom area are often very dirty, to the point that wet feet are turned black after walking through dry areas. At this point I am seriously considering canceling my membership. The only reason I may keep it is because my son sometimes uses the YMCA after school when he has soccer practice across the street. Otherwise I would likely choose the Nampa Recreation Center instead. I hope the YMCA can improve consistency in its policies and overall management, I'm not typically someone to complain, but after several several instances of being harassed by the lifeguards, I'm just sick of it.

★★★★★Susan Davis

The swim program is awesome. We have been fortunate to have private lessons for my granddaughter. She has greatly improved and is developing confidence as will as stroke technique. Her instructor has created a good work and goal setting environment . Marley lost her mother a couple years ago whom was a competitive swimmer in her high school years and Marley wants to swim well like her mom did. The whole team of teachers and life guards have been awesome. Great dedication to the kids and safety.

★★★★★Evangelina Ochoa

Been coming to this facility since it opened. The staff is always friendly and respectful. The facility is always clean and orderly. My kids enjoyed the pool area for many years as I do now, and I appreciate how well the lifeguards are watch over the pool area. I use the steam room & guards come check on us every 10 minutes to ensure our safety. I have been a member of almost every gym here in the treasure valley and I will always come back to the Caldwell YMCA for great experience. They have adult only locker rooms upstairs & are very good about making sure kids use the locker rooms downstairs by the pool. A lot of the people complaining in these comments are probably not locals & just like to complain about our rules here in Idaho which are meant to keep children and all of us safe. Safety over complaints is always best. My kids grew up using this facility and have nothing but pleasant memories. Thanks Caldwell Y for being amazing!