Frances Meadows Aquatic Center — Attraction in Gainesville

The pools are always clean when we go, and the slides are in good working order, that I can tell. We don't go to the splash zone part for kiddies due to my boys being teens, but other children seem to enjoy it. Its VERY VERY frustrating that the warm pool is never, ever available for open swim. I have cold urticaria so I itch when my skin gets cold and my only option there for laps/ family swimming (in water deeper than 3 feet) is the Olympic pool, which is freezing!! We bought a family pass a couple years ago that advertised the warm pool as part of the useable options but never could get access to the warm pool. Last thing I don't like about the center is that the staff are all teens, and they ALL have no personality, especially the lifeguards. They don't interact with, talk to, acknowledge or even smile at the people who are there. The whole place seems to be run by teens!! I know they are supposed to be concentrating on watching the children (mostly) swim, but they're usually talking to another lifeguard at their station and several had their backs to the pools in conversation. One lifeguard saw a boy throw a soccer ball across the zero entry pool over to the lazy river area, which was thrown several more times, hitting a few children in the head, caught off guard. This lifeguard was not chatting with anyone else, or preoccupied but was obviously embarrassed and afraid to blow the whistle. She slowly climbed down the stand (she was somewhat overwieight and struggled with the steps), holding her whistle in her hand, watched.a few more times of the ball being thrown and walked to where she was closer to where the ball was then. She still stood there for a while. She finally bent down and waited for the boy to notice her. She spoke to him and he put the ball on the side of the pool. My son was next to where the ball hit the first person and the lifeguard didn't stop it, even though she saw it flying across the very crowded pool. She should've reacted more quickly and would've prevented the other children from being wacked with the ball. It would be great if there was some vigor personality, and excitement for the job among the ones in charge of a whole...

I wrote this email to Francis Meadows and wanted to share it publicly:

I wanted to share some feedback from my recent visit to your facility on Monday, 9/4/2023, which left me feeling quite disappointed.

As I approached the gate to access the pool area, I encountered a situation where a family ahead of me had to turn back and exit the area. Naturally, I inquired about the reason for their abrupt departure. It came to my attention that your facility has implemented a new policy, exclusively accepting credit or debit cards as forms of payment while discontinuing the acceptance of cash.

While I understand the need for modernizing payment methods, I cannot help but express my concerns regarding the unintended consequences of this decision. This policy, in my opinion, carries a certain classist undertone that may inadvertently disadvantage economically challenged individuals. It's essential to acknowledge that not everyone has access to credit cards or maintains bank accounts, and this policy could potentially hinder their ability to enjoy your facility's offerings.

As a government-run entity, I was somewhat surprised to learn of such a policy in place. Government institutions typically aim to serve the broader public, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all citizens, regardless of their financial circumstances. While I respect the need for financial efficiency, I believe it is essential to strike a balance between modernization and maintaining a commitment to inclusivity, particularly in the public sector.

I kindly request that you reconsider this policy or explore alternative payment options to ensure that your facility remains accessible to a wider range of individuals. A more inclusive approach will not only benefit the community at large but also align with the ideals of fairness and equality that we expect from government-run establishments.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my concerns. I believe that with thoughtful consideration, we can find a solution that accommodates both modernization and the diverse needs of...

I have only visited the outdoor water attractions and have no experience with the indoor pools or classes, but the outside area is a great place for kids of all ages to get wet! Beware of the direct sun exposure, though. There is no shade unless you can get under an umbrella or shelter. I applied sport grade waterproof spf 50 2x in the 2 hours we were there on our most recent visit and still was burned on my shoulders a little, and I'm not fair-skinned. Don't be alarmed if the parking lot is full, we were there when only about twenty spots were left on the very edge of the lot and it still was not overcrowded once we got in. They need to designate more handicap parking spaces; they were all full and we couldn't park anywhere near the building. There are a few odd rules; they clearly want to force you to purchase their concessions. No re-entry without paying admission again. No outside food or drink. They offer hotdogs, burgers, grilled cheese, and chips, etc. They won't take bills larger than a twenty!! But they do take MC and Visa, and checks at the entry gate. We ate at Chick-Fil-A before going in. Children under 3 have to wear a swim diaper AND plastic pants over that, which they will sell to you if you need them. There are LOTS of life guards, and every hour you have to get out of the water for a safety check or something, which is a great time to re-apply sunscreen. If you found this review helpful, please give it a...