Michelle Aiello
April 3, 2018 20:26
After the renovation, this facility is much better. I have a citywide membership, so I go to all 4 YMCAs and I like the fitness center at Northside the best. The wall to wall windows are nice and there is plenty of equipment. The locker rooms and clean and modern and there is a family corridor for swimming with the little ones.
However, there is room for improvement. The most critical thing is there is NO PEDESTRIAN walkway leading to the building. I wanted to walk to the Y with my child in a stroller, but that means pushing it up a driveway that is shared by cars (and for a bit, walking in the street, but that is a matter for the city). For an organization like the Y that is supposed to be focused on health and family, this is just odd. I asked if there was another way in via a sidewalk, and the front desk person said no.
On that note, the staff could be more friendly. I am not looking for the royal treatment. I'd settle for a "hello" when I walk in the door. A few members of the evening childcare staff are strange. They say very little, barely even a greeting when I take my daughter in. They don't greet her at all. And the whole atmosphere in the room is just...cold, quiet and not very fun. It's a strong contrast to the Whitaker YMCA, where the childcare staff are all warm, friendly, know my child by name and greet her.
Finally, I have found that out of all 4 Lexington YMCAs, the Northside has the largest amount of people who don't follow good spa etiquette. I've personally seen people wear dirty, outdoor shoes and track grass and mud into the steam room. Almost everyone brings their electronics into the sauna, and many don't bother to use headphones, instead playing music and videos through the speaker for everyone to hear. I have never seen any of the YMCA staff enforce or address this. Even the swim coaches wear their street shoes into the pool area, and you'd think at least they would set an example and respect pool rules.
I'm aware that I'm more sensitive than most, but all I want is a relaxing environment where I can work out, use the spa, not walk on a road made for cars, and feel good about who is watching my child. Hopefully, these things will improve, as this is my neighborhood Y and I pay them my hard earned money each month.