East Lansing Family Aquatic Center — Local services in East Lansing

While the facility itself looks really nice, is clean, and well maintained, sadly my family’s experience there was not the pleasant, relaxing one I was hoping for. This is because of some irrational and draconian rules in effect at the aquatics center. The first one that surprised and bewildered me was a rule that no one is allowed to wear life vests in the deeper side of the pool, regardless of age or height, even when accompanied by a supervising adult. This seems very backward and illogical to me (why force kids to be less safe by having to take off their life vests in deeper water?). This was particularly disappointing since the shallow end is very shallow, mostly only a foot or two deep. It is always safest to wear a life vest, regardless of swimming ability, and my two kids prefer and insist wearing them in any pool or lake even though they have completed swim lessons.

The second thing I really disliked about the Aquatics Center was how the life guards would whistle and yell loudly at anyone using the frog slide who might be ever so slightly over 48” - constantIy. I understand the desire to keep big kids off the slide for the safety of younger kids, but my sons were just barely over 48” (very tall for their age, 99th percentile for height) and were too scared and unwilling to try the large slides designed for 48”+. Those near 50” should have a choice on which slide they are personally ready for instead of having a strict height cutover; particularly on less busy weekdays where congestion is not an issue and the height difference is very minor. The policy assumes every kid who is 48” tall regardless of age is emotionally ready for the large slides; this is not inclusive.

It was also very annoying having to constantly hear life guards yelling and whistling from the other side of the pool every other minute or so about it. If it is that important that kids slightly over 48” never use the slide, there should be a staff member positioned next to it so at least the whole pool doesn’t have to hear the constant scolding while they are trying to relax and enjoy themselves.

It was not busy the mid-week day we came; never more than 3-4 kids total (including my two kids) in the frog slide area, all behaving well and close in age, so the heavy-handed constant rule enforcement from the life guards was unwarranted and just leached away what little fun we might have had.

Because the deep end was off limits due to no life vests allowed rule, and because my kids were too scared of the big slides, the smaller slide was the only attraction left to them, but because of the arbitrary max height restriction, even that was off limits. This was really disappointing since they really enjoyed the frog slide and it was a good fit for them emotionally, but it only lasted a few minutes before a lifeguard came over and kicked them off because of their arm band, despite being only a couple inches too tall.

I feel like we got ripped off given the hefty $11/person entrance fee that only allowed us to sit bored in shallow water simply because my kids are tall for their age, like to wear a life vest while swimming, and as a result don’t fit into the rigidly enforced “one size fits most” policies that don’t allow for any exceptions or flexibility.

We had far, far more fun as a family this summer locally at Lake Ovid and Hawk Island (both free or very cheap), and Michigan’s...

I used to love coming here. But seems in the past few years this place has gone downhill drastically. If you’re walking barefoot you have to constantly watch where you’re walking so you don’t step on food or garbage. Today I saw a dirty swim diaper on the ground right near the bathrooms/front entrance area and no one picked it up, it was there until we left. THE BATHROOMS ARE DISTURBINGLY DISGUSTING- doesn’t look like it’s been decently cleaned in I don’t know how long. I will say this the staff overall is very nice and friendly. I don’t know what’s going on, maybe staff feel like they don’t get paid enough to put the effort into cleaning properly? Maybe it’s just this younger generation not caring enough in general? I feel like at this point management should hire a separate company to come in after hours or before hours to clean the property. I went for the first time today for this season and I honestly have no desire to come back, which is really sad because I used to love this place and I have kids who really enjoy it too. Even my brother used to lifeguard here some years ago. And it’s not like there are other aquatic centers or water parks like this around here, our options are limited as it is. Which makes this all the more disappointing. I truly hope that management will read these reviews and actually take the time to come up with...

I am so sad to say that we were thoroughly disgusted at the lack upkeep at the EL Aquatic Center. This is a fantastic concept and was an nice place to spend the day with family and friends.

Today was our first visit of the season. I can’t say we will go back. The bathrooms were repulsive at best. I walked in to the bathroom without sandals as I have for years... HUGE mistake. Access panels under the sinks are rusting, rust drips down the wall onto wet floor where barefoot people risk the need of a tetanus shot, standing stagnant dirty water floods the floor, paint has peeled off the slippery floor under the toilet - looking like a kiddo may have missed the hole, the base of the showers need a tough scrubbing, it was just overall dirty and in disrepair. While entering the zero entrance zone of the pool the white bottom was far from white, the edge of the pool where the water meets the tile there is a perfect ring around the pool.

Ok, I will stop! I am going to try posting photos so that you can identify the clumps around the pool and see the other items that need help!

HOWEVER, the life guards and staff were fantastic. It is a very safe place to spend time in the water with so many eyes on everyone.

The food area has great prices for what they offer. Good selection.

Unfortunately, I can’t upload the images. I will look for another...