Edmonds Community Centre — Attraction in Burnaby

I recently started attending fitness classes at the Edmonds CC. The CC offers a good variety of classes to fit most age groups and personal needs/likes. The classes are good, fun, they start on time and the instructors are very good, nice and friendly. I was hoping to use their exercise room. That however has not been possible. The exercise room is small and jam packed with equipment which makes it more difficult to get around. Secondly, the facility is co-ed. Nothing wrong with that. Except that its users tend to be high school young males that sometimes work out in groups which translates into having to wait long periods of time to be able to use a particular piece of equipment. Some of us do not have a lot of time to go to exercise and the last thing we want to do is wait for a group of friends taking too long using a piece of equipment. The exercise room is definitely not mature people friendly. I also have to say it does not smell clean, not even when it is not busy, filled with people. It is disappointing not being able to use this facility which I am supposed to be able to do, because of the above reasons. It will be nice if management look into ways of improving this service since we pay for it. Last but not least and this is perhaps what bothers me the most and the reason for the rating. That reason is the POOR Customer service offered on a regular basis in this CC. With few exceptions, lots of their reception desk representatives are either rude or show very poor customer service skills while dealing with customers. Some look absolutely bored, uncaring. Others are plain rude. Few nights ago I went to renew my monthly pass and was greeted by "What do you want?". I was shocked. I had some questions to ask regarding the pass and a yearly membership. Again, I was asked in a exasperating tone: "What is it that you want?". I finally managed to ask 2 simple questions which were answered with absolute disdain and a sense of unnecessary urgency because they were not busy. The person was more interested in yelling to a kid that was leaving, not to bounce his basketball inside, than being courteous and helpful. I had honestly contemplated getting the annual membership since, despise the issues with the exercise room and the crazy busy at times parking lot, I have enjoyed the fitness classes and the fact that is conveniently close, I thought I would still go for the annual membership which, it is not cheap, let me tell you that. After that poor, rude customer service, I changed my mind. I know they probably won't mind/care about losing a customer, they have lots of them nonetheless. I also know chances are they won't read any of this which is too bad because that will only allowed or make more room for poor services towards the locals, visitors and the general public. And that is not right nor acceptable. I had used their services in the past. Some years have passed since. A new facility but same old...

I am appalled by the abysmal level of customer service I encountered during my visit to the Edmonds Community Center. The reception staff's behavior was shockingly rude and unprofessional, leaving me deeply disappointed.

Upon entering the facility, I interacted with three women at the reception who seemed to have no regard for basic courtesy. They spoke to me as if I was invisible, displaying a complete lack of respect. Even my father, who accompanied me, was taken aback by their dismissive attitude.

To make matters worse, when I sought assistance and asked questions, one staff member responded with unnecessary rudeness. Instead of providing helpful answers, she condescended to me, leaving me feeling flustered and disheartened. But that was not the end of it.

During the process of having my picture taken for the center's pass, the person behind the camera had the audacity to make an uncalled-for comment. They remarked, "You look a lot serious in the picture." When I politely requested a retake, their response was dismissive, saying, "It's okay; we like to capture the true personality of people."

This kind of behavior is absolutely unacceptable. The primary responsibility of the reception staff should be to assist visitors and create a welcoming environment, not to pass judgment on people's appearances or make derogatory comments. I expected better treatment from a community center.

I sincerely hope that the management of the Edmonds Community Center takes this review seriously and initiates necessary actions to rectify the situation. The reception staff urgently needs training on basic customer service skills and proper communication. If they are unable to fulfill their roles or dislike interacting with people, they should reconsider their suitability for positions that require constant public interaction.

As a paying visitor, I believe it is crucial to raise awareness about the appalling customer service I experienced. Future visitors should not have to endure such a negative encounter. It is my hope that improvements are made promptly, ensuring a respectful and welcoming...

Started my 15 month old swimming lessons here. I guess they are new and not very prepared. No change tables in any of the change rooms-Coed and Women. And no play pen. My LO just started walking, so she is still very wobbly. How do I change after changing her?? There is no safe place for me to leave her at while i'm changing. Yet this pool has swimming lessons for 6 months and up??? I guess they only catered to married moms and not single moms.

Also we werent allowed into the pool even for 4 mins before classes were to start. The life guard told us we have to pay for admissions if we want to get into the pool before classes start or if we want to stay and play after class we have to pay too. I dont know any other community centres that does that. Both Richmond and Coquitlam swimming pool allowed children to stay after class. So now, my LO watches with a sad face while other kids play in the pool while she waits for classes to start on the side. I'm not kidding you, I knew the rules, so i thought maybe 4 mins before classes were to start wasnt really breaking the rules. But NO!!! The lifeguard kicked my 15 month old out of the pool because we didnt pay to play 4 mins before class. Never again will i sign up for classes here!!!

Because they started kicking people out of the pool when classes are finished, there is now a long line up in the change rooms. So if you have signed up for swimming lessons, try changing your baby in the womens change room-fewer line ups compared to the Co-ed. Bring extra towels to keep your child warm cause 2 of my friends already had their babies catching a cold, while lining up in the change room. Even the benches are full. And if you are a single mom, remember to push your stroller in-how else will you keep you baby safe while...