David D. Hunting YMCA — Local services in Grand Rapids

I work as a caretaker for the cognitively disabled. I brought some residents to this YMCA along with another caretaker. While most of the group was swimming, a (male) resident walked into the men’s locker room. My coworker started walking toward the locker room to find a male staff member nearby who could help, and was instead met by a female janitorial staff who lectured her for “standing too close to the men’s locker room door.” My coworker came and got me for help, and I also walked toward the door to find a more helpful staff member. I found a very nice lifeguard who listened to my description and went into the locker room to find the resident. While I was waiting, the same janitorial staff as before came and gave me the same lecture, even after I explained the specific circumstances of our visit/issue (or tried to explain, she continuously interrupted me and my coworker). She then proceeded to lecture my coworker again, this time on going in and out of the hall outside the locker rooms when the pool is at capacity and the door is “closed.” We again explained our circumstances, and that we needed to communicate with each other about our residents, but it didn’t seem to matter to her. Luckily, before it could escalate, the awesome lifeguard found my resident and made sure he came out of the locker room clothed (huge shoutout to him!). I think staff should be spoken to about how caretaker...

If you are considering a YMCA membership and planning to use this location, I would hold off. The current renovations make this facility so difficult to use it's not worth the trouble. What is even more concerning is the lack of care or response that the membership team has for current members who are inconvenienced. Currently unavailable: a large portion of the parking lot, child drop off areas, women's locker rooms and all amenities associated with those locker rooms, and often times the pool. The way that members have been treated during this renovation is disheartening to say the least and they will still collect their full price memberships even though they cannot offer reasonable alternative solutions. There are around 5-6 total working private showers available to service the entirety of women at this massive facility with no end in sight. I have contacted membership services and received a variety of cut and paste responses about how they are aware that the renovations are inconvenient and the suggestion is to pause the membership or go to a different location, no discounts or refunds offered. Don't spend your money...

My daughter attends the Lowell YMCA Summer day camp, and has talked about going to this location once or twice a week to swim with her group. It just so happened, that our local high school pool where we typically swim on Saturdays was closed today. She suggested we make the drive to GR and try this place, and ohhhh my goodness! What an experience! The pools were the PERFECT temperature, the hot tub was relaxing when I snuck over for a quick dip (and I could peek over the side to keep an eye on her while she played with some other kids). It was just amazing.

We will definitely be getting a membership and make this our new place to go hang and work out. The staff were all amazing. The lifeguards were friendly and professional, the front desk staff have a way about them that makes you feel like they are HAPPY to have you there... and for those of you who have taken your kiddos places that are "kid friendly" or even places that are MADE for children, this is not always the case with staff at those places, so it was very refreshing.

Thanks for a great day guys! I wish I could give...