Coleman A. Young Community Center — Attraction in Detroit

Disappointing Experience – Doesn’t Feel Like a True Community Rec Center

I’ve given this rec center more than enough chances, but it’s clear it’s not truly here for the community. The overall vibe doesn’t feel welcoming or community-oriented—it’s more like a building with rules that shift depending on who’s working.

Several of the water fountains haven’t worked in months, which is unacceptable, especially during the summer or after a workout. On top of that, the A/C barely functions on the top floor, making it nearly unbearable for any kind of real activity up there.

Another major issue is the constant inconsistency—whether it’s the hours of operation, the programs offered, or even basic access to the gym. The gym has been closed a full hour before its posted schedule multiple times, without warning or any communication. It’s frustrating to show up expecting to use the facility only to be told it’s closed early “just because.”

If this place wants to claim it serves the community, it needs to start operating with more transparency, reliability, and basic respect for the...

I am a member of the Coleman Young Recreation Center, and I enjoy it very very much the staff is wonderful kind and professional and so very helpful, I have been going there for the past few weeks since it has reopened, and I can't say enough good things about it it is clean, I am in the water aerobics class and the pool is unbelievable, it is amazing how much it helps rheumatoid arthritis I'm so thankful, I left and left my wallet in the sauna yes it has a sauna as well, I called to the Coleman Young rec center after I had left and forgot my wallet in the sauna, in 20 minutes later on the way home somebody called from the rec center and a young very nice man who works at the rec center, found my wallet I Rush right back and picked it up everything was in its untouched, and that is truly unbelievable but true everything was in my wallet credit cards cash everything, and they called me to tell me that they had it call need to tell me that they have it, I can't tell you how happy I was ungrateful, I gave them five stars cuz that's all I could give them if I could give 20...

Water in the pool is always too cold. Even after calls/complaints to the City of Detroit Recreation Dept. General Manager, Keith Flournoy, requesting that they make the water a little warmer out of consideration for senior citizens with arthritis who make up the majority of people who actually use the pool, there was no change. This is winter. It is below 20° outside. Keeping the pool temperature at 74-75° when the majority of your guests are 60-80 years old is inconsiderate. Three times we ladies had to get redressed and leave 2 minutes after getting in the pool because the water was too cold. Talking to the staff does not make a difference. City of Detroit Recreation Dept. will not return our calls. I no longer use the Coleman Young Rec Center even though it is close to my home. My recommendation : Use Heilman Rec Center which I give 5 stars. (See my review ) Pool water is 85° and the locker room and pool area...