Salvation Army Kroc Center — Attraction in Grand Rapids

Disappointing Experience: Outdated Policies and Unprofessional Management

This morning I had an unfortunate encounter at the Grand Rapids Salvation Army Kroc Center, a Christian non-profit gym. While I was aware of their clothing attire policy, I made sure to dress appropriately by wearing a modest crop top that adhered to their guidelines. However, during my workout, a staff member approached me and claimed my attire was inappropriate, despite the fact that a manager and front desk staff later confirmed its suitability.

After expressing my concerns to the manager, I was encouraged to write and submit a formal complaint. As I was sitting at a desk writing this complaint, one of the staff members working the front desk asked if I was open to speaking with the general manager about this issue. I agreed, and was looking forward to what I hoped would be a productive and open conversation.

I was met with a confrontational and rigid attitude from the general manager. Despite clearly stating that I had reviewed the policy and taken it into consideration when getting dressed, he seemed unwilling to listen and understand my perspective. Additionally, he showed a dismissive attitude towards customer opinions, which I believe is essential for any business to thrive.

It was disheartening to learn that the strict and outdated clothing policy has been an ongoing issue at the gym, as acknowledged by several staff members. I felt the need to write a formal complaint, and although I was willing to engage in a constructive conversation, the general manager's demeanor became increasingly heated and unprofessional.

What bothered me most was his statement that the Kroc Center, as a nonprofit, relied solely on funding and not on customers. While I appreciate their mission to "serve Jesus Christ" (as he stated), it is crucial to remember that the customers, who contribute to the center's funding, should still be treated with respect and their opinions valued.

Based on this experience, I have decided to terminate my membership with the Grand Rapids Kroc Center. I hope that the management will take into account the concerns raised by numerous patrons and reevaluate their policies to create a more inclusive and customer-focused environment.

I strongly advise potential members to consider these issues before joining this gym. It's unfortunate to witness such closed-mindedness and unprofessional behavior from the general manager. I hope my review serves as a warning and encourages the necessary changes for a better experience for...

Before going to the Kroc Center, remember that daily theft, rude workers and unsanitary playing spaces are what you should look forward to. It all started when I went to the pool at 6:30, paying $7.50 to stay until 8:30, when the pool closed. I swam for a good thirty minutes before my friends and I decided to go get a snack from the vending machine. We stepped outside and was immediately cornered by a worker who forced us to put on shoes, so we went back into the locker room, put on our shoes and a shirt to cover our bathing suits. We went into the lobby where the vending machines were located and got our snacks. The rule is that you can't bring food past the lobby so we sat there eating until a Mexican lady at the front desk yelled at us saying we were dripping on the floors and that we needed to get back into the pool and also complained about us "not having on clothes" while there were teenage boys on the other side of the lobby wearing no shirts and basketball shorts. Me being me, I snuck my cookie into the girls locker room and went back to the pool. When I got there, the main pool had been roped off for "laps". It was only about 7:45 and the pool closed at 8:30. We tried to go in there but the lifeguard kept yelling at us saying if we were in there we had to be swimming laps. When we paid $7.50 for OPEN SWIM, they didn't say anything about closing the pool off early for laps and it's also not on the schedule they have posted online. We stayed in the hot tub until it was time to get picked up. Once we went in the locker room, i decided to change in the bathroom, until I saw that the toilets looked and smelled disgusting. I ended up changing behind the lockers. I made a mistake and left my bikini top in there bathing suit dryer they have, and when I came to pick it up the next day, a different Mexican lady told me to check the lost and found in the gym. I went down there and found nothing. I'll never be going back to the Kroc...

Apparently this place has been closed from 12-3pm during the pandemic. Started membership end of March so that was prorated + joining fee. Absolutely no one told me there were hour restrictions or a huge gap during the day that they're closed!! Guess what times work best for me to workout? 12-3pm. Have to cancel by the 20th of March to not have to pay April. Well, since I joined after the 20th of March I was automatically stuck with April. The April newsletter came out later which said they'll be open 12-3pm starting in MAY. How does that help me now? Talked to Crystal (membership supervisor?) and she was short with me and just said membership can be cancelled and you have the rest of April to come in. Did you not just hear me say that your closed hours is the timeframe that works for my family? No compassion at all. It should be MANDATORY that Front desk staff make potential new members aware of these times. I truly feel like I was mislead and therefore began a new membership based on old hours. That is Robbery!! Very disappointing.

UPDATE: the owner's response claims they offered to move my April payment to May. That is not true!! If that was the case I would've accepted that resolution and never left this review. So, either Crystal who I spoke with initially is a complete Liar or even the...