Bartlett Park District — Local services in Bartlett

If I can give this place a negative number review, I would. This place has absolutely terrible communication. Melissa who is apparently in charge of booking events and parties - did a terrible job with communication. First, she takes forever to respond to emails. When I call - I literally have to have five times to her direct line for her to finally answer over the phone and she gave me false information. I originally had my party time schedule for 11AM-1PM. I did ask via email to switch my room time from 12PM-2PM. She confirmed via email and I called to ask to make sure I can have my guest arrive at 11AM to start swimming - so my guest aren't rushing to eat and then get kicked out. She told me 11AM-6PM my guest can swim.

Now, my guest and I are downstairs - at 11:14AM, just to be told me told by someone at the swim center, who tells us we can't swim until noon. I did not get her name, but she was wearing glasses. I'm frustrated - did she care? NO. So, I bit my tongue and told my guest to go back upstairs.

Now, it's 12:03PM I come downstairs to then see the assistant manager at the swim department tell me, we cannot swim UNTIL 1PM BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO STAFF AND THAT OPEN SWIM DID NOT START UNTIL 1PM. I was just here 45 minutes ago, and your staff told me noon, your party planner Melissa told me 11AM AND NOW she tells me 1PM.

NOW, my guest had to wait TWO HOURS TO SWIM. I had kids just sitting and running around in our reserved room for two hours. They were trying to blame me for not knowing that "open swim" starts from 1-6pm. Mind you, I have never booked here, I don't live in this area and I was verbally communicated that the time of 11AM to swim, was fine.

I have heard that this was NOT the first time Melissa, the event "planner" has made a mistake. NO ONE AT THIS PARK DISTRICT GAVE A YOU KNOW WHAT.

The ONLY employee, that I would give a FIVE STAR review was MONICA AT THE FRONT DESK. Breanna another event person, did not care to check on me, no one at the swim cared about the situation. Monica, was the only and I mean ONLY EMPLOYEE who was trying her best to help me.

Monica, was going above and beyond to help me and anything I needed, she helped assist me right away.

I'm pretty much sure, they will not take accountability for this. I will NOT return. I'm sure Nick, and Melissa won't refund me or reach out or me.

But Monica, if you are reading this, thank you for your help...

Don't waste your time trying to book a venue. They don't bother getting back to you. I tried 3 times even went through an events service. Still no response. I might be lucky though, as I have since found reviews on how poorly run previously run events were handled and how unorganized they are.CASE IN POINT! I posted my review 2+ years ago, today 2+ years later they reply... it has been so long since I posted I forgot my password for this review so I just added this...

My cousin had held a Engagement Party in the Oak Hall Room and the air conditioning was turned off for the whole event. They tried to fix it and tried several attempts to turn on but nothing happened. The last hour of the event the air came on and by then it was too late. I'm hopeful they will discount us in some way, we will see about that. Overall experience was good. But air conditioning would have been great. Almost 5star...