Franconia Rec Center — Local services in Groveton

I like the gym a lot. It’s never too crowded in there, and the equipment is good. Reception staff are also very nice.

I’m knocking off 3 stars because of the pool. Often times their schedule online does not reflect the schedule in person. For example, I show up at 6:45pm prepared to hop in a lane opening up at 7pm. Only to find that the group actually isn’t getting out until 7:30pm, and the lifeguards couldn’t be bothered to rewrite the sign to let people know the lanes are occupied until 7:30pm. It’s a dry-erase whiteboard. Not hard to fix.

And, I believe the pool is unsanitary. Firstly, you can smell the pool right as you walk in. That is not a good sign, that means there are high levels of combined chlorine (combined chlorine is when free chlorine combines with pee and bacteria). Secondly, when I’m swimming, the air makes my chest hurt. I cough if I breathe in too sharply, even long after I’ve left the pool. That’s because combined chlorine particles are most concentrated in the air 6 inches above the water. I’m not surprised the pool is dirty, considering they allow people to swim who aren’t wearing real swimsuits (clogs pool filters), nor do they make people shower off before entering the pool.

For swimming, I recommend Audrey Moore or Oakmont Rec center any day...

I have frequented this pool quite a few times in the past and never had an issue. Today however was a very bad experience my child spent less than 20 minutes in the pool without 4 people coming to have something to say about how the lifeguard felt. Mind you the lifeguard could have come to talk to myself and the other parent personally. I felt a little bullied and uneasy and also felt as though I wasted my money. Mind you when I come to this pool I spend 3 or more hours here. I was so furious I couldn't even stay to speak with anyone as I didn't want to come off as disrespectful . My feelings were hurt and my child was sad. The energy of the place today was extremely off and I didn't like the communication that everyone had. The front desk employees are always so sweet and respectful but the pool area was not very inviting. I highly doubt that I will come back here which is crazy because I was just about to buy us season passes which I'm so grateful that I didn't. I hope you all do better with catering to families because as I've said before the pool area was not inviting at all today. The lifeguard name starts with a B for the life of me I can't remember the full name but he needs some customer service training because he...

DETAILED REVIEW FROM AN EVERYDAY GOER::: This gym is outdated and dirty. In the racquetball courts there is just a bunch of black dirt around the vent on top. In the basketball gym there’s dust bunnies and trash left and right. The weight room is kept fairly clean but the weight room equipment is extremely outdated. Tried to do isometrics the other day… almost lifted up the whole rack off the platform. Someone don’t bolt it down correctly… injury waiting to happen!

AND THE MAIN REASON WHY I AM WRITING THIS REVIEW: THE BASKETBALL COURT IS HARDLY EVER AVAILABLE. If you are a member don’t be shocked when you get kicked off all of a sudden for someone who “rented it out” for a couple people while there’s 50 people in the gym wanting to play. Don’t be fooled. THEY DO NOT PUT ANY MONEY INTO THE FACILITY OR TO MAINTAIN THE FACILITY. MANAGEMENT IS HORRIBLE. Coming from a business major. It’s always a gym goer who has to go and point things out to the workers that’s wrong or dirty with the gym. And I have great relationships with the staff.

Save yourself the time and go to a different gym. It’ll save you a lot of money and you’ll have better equipment at your...