Downtown YMCA

★★★Scott Takac

I’ve been a longtime supporter, member and donor of the Y, but I’m starting to lose enthusiasm for the expanded downtown location. Tonight was the tipping point. The pool was already crowded, with swimmers doubling up in lanes, yet two lanes were blocked off for programming starting at 5:30 p.m. The first hour was a baby swim class and the second hour was swim lessons. I’m all for both programs, but scheduling them during peak evening hours in an already overcrowded pool seems poorly planned—especially when the renovated facility ended up with a smaller pool than the previous location. This is part of a broader pattern. The locker rooms are noticeably smaller than those in the old facility. The sauna and steam room are undersized for the demand. Parking remains a challenge, even if that may eventually improve. There are also other design decisions that don’t seem to have fully accounted for how heavily the facility would be used. On the positive side, there’s genuine excitement around the new Y, and it’s become a destination in a way it wasn’t before. That’s a real success. Unfortunately, the facility is increasingly struggling to meet the demand that success has created. After many years as a loyal member and supporter, I’m starting to consider other options. It disappoints me to say that.

★★★★★Elaine Toler

The YMCA has become my home away from home. Its clean and the staff is always friendly. I got a membership and never looked back.

★★★★★Eugene Chang

Check-in was seamless as an out-of-area guest. The facility itself is stacked with top-notch equipment, an indoor track, pool, sauna, steam room, and basketball courts. Spotlessly clean and professionally run, plus they had complimentary coffee and tea available on my way out which was a nice touch.

★★audrey crowder

This Y would be nice if they thought more about the structure of the facility, especially the pool/sauna. You can’t even go into the sauna because it is packed full every time at all hours. It’s hard to even get a good workout in with how many people are here at a time. Most treat this as a social gathering rather than a workout gym. The sauna and steam room need to be bigger. Not worth all the money.

★Nick Britt-Cunningham

This is one of the most well-equipped fitness facilities I’ve ever been to. They have everything. Except parking and professional staffing. Parking is chaotic and the parking attendant is ALWAYS on his phone in the entrance booth, instead of using cones to direct cars to overflow. Once you get to the bottom floor only to find out it’s full, you have to do a U-turn inside the narrow space. Then you park outside in overflow which has no walking entrance, no security, and no attendant. When you walk in, the first person you encounter at check in is also on her phone. An hour and a half later as we left she was still on her phone. Yet, dirty pool towel bins were overflowing, pool deck floors are filthy and sticky. All the amenities in the world aren’t worth a dime if they’re not cared for and kempt. I’ve been a member over 15 years and this is the most complacent staffing I’ve ever experienced here. Maybe since they’re always on their phones (instead of keeping a nice gym) they’ll see this review and make some improvements.