Inverness Leisure — Attraction in Ballifeary

I Used To Regularly Use The Aquadome,To Go Swimming In The Competition Pool Every Saturday When I Could Between January And August 2023. However,On Saturday 28th October 2023,I Was Planning To Use The Gym First,And Then Use The Competition Pool Afterwards. As Soon As I Came In To The Aquadome,I Asked For 1 Person Going To The Gym,As You Do. I Was Inducted On For The Cardio Machines When I Was In S6 At The Time,I Thought That The Aquadome Would Pick Up The Slack,But Unfortunately,The Lady At The Reception Refused Me Entry,Because I Looked Like A Piece Of Dirt To Her. She Told Me "You Can't Use The Gym,Because You Are Not Inducted Onto Anything. Do You Want An Induction For Another Day." I Was Like "You Know What,Fine. If You're Not Going To Let Me In,When I Was Clearly Inducted Back In August 2023 For The Cardio Machines,Then I'll Just Leave And Never Come Back Ever Again." The Lady After I Said That,Just Said "Leave". But I Think I Know What She Was Trying To Say. I Think She Maybe Wanted To Say "Just Get Out,And Leave Forever,You Stupid,Useless,Piece Of Unreliable Scrutinised Dirt. Your Face Disgusts Me,Get Out Before I Vomit On The Reception Desk. What Are You Waiting For,Just Get Out Before I Feel Sick,For Goodness Sake." The Whole Thing Made Me Feel Quite Upset,Disgusted,Disappointed And Felt Like I Had To Wait Until I Get My Masters Degree In College Or University,Just To Use Any Of The Facilities At All. The Management In This Place,Was Utter Shambles,And Tearing At The Seams At The Time,And Probably Still Is To This Day. It Is Very Easy To See Why. The Facilities Are Poorly Maintained. The Flumes Have NEVER Been Open Since The Evening Of Thursday 19th March 2020,Just 4 Nights,Before The COVID-19 Lockdown Started. There Used To Be An Incredibly Fantastic Cafe Called The Bite Bistro Where The Gym Is Now Located,But Ever Since It Moved Down To The Pool,And Got Rebranded Cafe Aqua In 2022,It Was Only Open For 16 Months,Until May 2023,Where It Shut Down Permanently. The Seating Area Has Still Been Retained,With Vending Machines Also Still There,Which Wasn't And Still Isn't The Same Since Before The COVID-19 Lockdown Happened. The Lockers By The Swimming Pool Sometimes Don't Even Work At All. The Showers Never Get Polished,And There Is Always Mildew And Black Mould In The Private Showers,Which Is Never OK For Babies,Toddlers And Children Who Use The Showers On A Daily Basis With Their Parents. Don't Get Me Wrong,I Know This Place Is Now 28 Years Old,Opening In April 1997,But The Entire Place Could Do With A Decent Refurbishment. I Think This Leisure Centre,If It's Struggling With Management And Financial Pressures,I Think It Should Close Down Permanently And Cease To Open At All. It Is A Very Unsafe,Dated Building In Places. The Management Is Sub-Par At Best And Some Staff Can Be Friendly,Whilst Other Staff Can Be Incredibly Unaccommodating. Some Of The Facilities Remain Untouched,Even After 5 Years After The Pandemic. Overall,I Know I Could Rate It Better Than 1 Star,But Unfortunately,Due To The Experience That I Had Back On The Morning Of Saturday 28th October 2023,That's Why I'm Only Putting 1 Star On The Review. Could Rate -Infinity Stars If I Could. Horrific. Get A Grip Highlife Highland. If You Want To Go Swimming Or Use The Gym,I Would Suggest Avoiding Here Altogether,And Use The Other Leisure Centres In Dingwall,Nairn,Alness Or Invergordon. Stay Well Clear Of This Place At All Costs. There Is Also Another Building Called The Inverness Botanic Gardens Right Across The Roundabout,It Is A Much Better Maintained Building Than This Dump Of A Place. The Public Library,Located At Inverness Bus Station,In The City Centre,Is Also Incredibly Well Maintained,With Great Management And Incredibly Friendly And Accommodating Staff. Anyways,Back To This,So The Place Is Definitely 3/10,A 0 Star Rating And Is Not The Best Place To Go To. The Beautiful Building Is Being Run Down,By Poor Management. Please Sort It Out. From Me,Even 19 Months Later,A Lifetime Means Lifetime Farewell From Me....

It's the first time we have taken the kids here so it was a bit of an experement to see what it was like and, well let's say we all thought it was ace! Due to my medical condition I couldn't use most of the facilities which is a shame because when you get to the foyer there are different activities signposted and we would have loved to have been able to try many of them out with the bairns, but this trip was for them to experience the pool, and that was packed with activities and things to keep them laughing and occupied. I didn't even realise myself just how many fun things they could do in a pool these days. To be honest, I thought the wave pool when I did my offshore training many years ago was the pinnacle of what could be done, but this made it seem a bit tame! I am not going to go into detail as to what is available, I shall leave it for you to experience, believe me, you will not be disappointed! While they enjoyed themselves, we first went to the cafe for short while and watched them. The coffee was fine, and we were pleased with the whole experience, but we had already decided that while in Inverness and this close, we wanted to have a look at the botanical gardens as they were only a few hundred yards away, if that. As I knew I am very limited with walking, it had started to rain and I had my rolator today, we decided to take the car over nearer the door to park, only to find that to do that we had to drive away from the area and to a huge loop and come in from the other side. Awesome! However, I have to say the gardens were well worth a visit. There is plenty seating so I was able to covet it in short bursts easily, and I loved watching the fish in the pond in the tropical House though my fingers were itch for a rod to try and catch to two 8/9 pounders lol that were in there. Ah well, some things are not to be. On the way out I went to the accessible toilet and that was the only mar on the day. Clearly well undersized, I struggled to get in with the rolator and get turned. My wife had to stand guard outside the door even though normally she would come in to help me, and that meant I was ages in there trying to get sorted. I really do wish everybody would realise the standard recommended size for a disabled toilet is as large as it is because people need it that size! Never mind though, overall both places were worth a visit so if you are thinking about, I would recommend you just do it. I really do think you will be...

Took the kids and their friends here today and it was really busy at reception. We were waiting for over 10mins which wasn't a problem but the receptionist was. The kids are all above 10 now and I always let them check in themselves and it's never been an issue, until today. My child needed a new card and was snapped at because it would be a hassle. Her friend had 3 cards to pick up, as new customers, and when asked her name she huffed and puffed over the spelling before telling us that she wasn't in the system and would have to pay. The way she treated the kids, myself and all the other families was disgusting and left the kids utterly humiliated. The older 2 were shouted at by a lifeguard for being in the wrong pool as it was booked. Would it have been so difficult to blow a whistle, call them over and tell them in a more appropriate manner? The staff in the pool area never look happy and spend more time gossiping with each other than watching the pools and as for reception staff. They are supposed to be welcoming but you certainly don't feel welcome. A really disappointing afternoon...