Southern Tier Community Center

★★xiuzhen yang

Review: Disappointing First Experience at the Pool I am writing because I truly want to love this community center, but our first experience at the pool was very discouraging. While the front desk staff and the people I met at the children’s fair the other day were warm, the atmosphere at the pool felt very different. Key Issues: Frustrating Requirements and Attitude: The most disappointing part of our visit was the unkind and dismissive attitude of the pool staff. My 4-year-old is a capable swimmer for her age—she can dive, breathe properly, move on her back, and navigate the water independently. When she wanted to access the deeper area, the lifeguard told us she only needed to demonstrate that she could move back and forth on her back from one end to the other. Since she hasn't been swimming in a while, she practiced for a bit and successfully did exactly what was asked. However, the lifeguard then became firm and dismissive, stating she was “not comfortable,” even though my daughter is a strong swimmer for her age. To make matters more confusing, while I was still speaking with the lifeguard, a swim instructor conducting a private lesson interrupted to add that my daughter also needed to demonstrate freestyle—a requirement that was never mentioned at the start. I understand that a deeper pool requires caution and I planned to stay with her at all times, but the inconsistent rules and harsh delivery made the situation feel very unwelcoming. Restrictive Environment: Unlike other local pools where equipment like noodles is available during open swim, here they were only provided for lessons. This made the open swim area feel “off-limits.” The atmosphere felt very “private,” as if the staff preferred the pool to remain empty rather than welcoming community use. My daughter and I were the only people there for the open swim, while the only others in the pool were a swim instructor and her student. Additionally, despite the strictness toward us, the lifeguard did not appear very attentive to the pool overall. Facility Concerns: The water extractor was not working, and the shower water was cold. We are used to facilities like Lourdes, where warm water is available after swimming, so this was disappointing. I have already enrolled my daughter in the summer camp here, and I sincerely hope the camp staff can create a better environment where my daughter feels confident and welcome. Unfortunately, this was a very poor first impression.

★★Kimberly Shepherd-Palacios

A few months ago i would have given a 5 star but not this time. A few months ago I went for a birthday party, It was an absolutely amazing experience. The staff was very helpful and they let us have access to several different areas.In the building that being said, we went for a blessing and right outside the doors is a small play area. We had two small children with us and they were playing in the area, and yes, of course, we were cleaning up after them. We had one of the workers come up to us and tell us that we only paid for that one room. And we're not allowed to do anything else. We showed them an email from the person who booked it and said that we had access to other rooms as well. And that she also said we had access to a game room which we were not using, and she said, we were given the wrong information, the kids started crying. And we went back into the room with the tables after a while. She did come back up and tell us the kids could play there. If we kept it clean, but next time, we are not allowed to use any other rooms except the actual room that we rent. I loved the fact that there was options to explore the first time and the older kids got to go to the game room but not this time. They said the person who sent us the email was no longer working there. Wanted to have an event there this summer but inly because there was so many options for different aged kids but not anymore.

★★★★★Sundeep Venkatesan

We take our kids for swimming classes here. Coach Molly is absolutely amazing! She is so patient, fun and teaches kids cool stuff while swimming. We are so happy with her and will certainly continue for many more classes.

★★★★★Heather Matthews

Great facility with super friendly people. Not your corporate edge place, but a family feel. Cardio, strength training, free weights, full gym, pickleball, and pool!! Something for everyone. My favorite place.

★Jennifer Nappi

I know a lot of people ask for some nice venues for kids birthday parties. We had my sons party at the Southern Tier Community Center pool. Pool is great, kitchen to rent is spacious and clean, game room is fun and there is a playground outside. All good things to say except for the most miserable, rude lifeguard Cheryl that was assigned to our party. She continually yelled at the kids for running, holding hands, jumping in the pool wrong, gave her own deep end swim tests (swimming across the pool on their back and then floating for 10 seconds)that only my son passed, etc. So much so that parents all commented and one even yelled back at her. Although I complained to the head director, little was done and I was told that she was spoken to. Spoken to doesn't do much after spending hundreds on a party and a senior lifeguard completely ruining our day. So keep in mind if planning a pool party at STCC make sure you DO NOT get Cheryl as your lifeguard. I assure you she will ruin your party vibe.