Carson Valley Swim Center — Local services in Minden

Update: I was contacted by the Director, Shannon, and she was very apologetic. There were multiple issues in this scenario that should not have occurred. She intends to use them as teaching opportunities for the staff. I really hope that there is a big change in the way they handle the clothing issue going forward. Thank you Shannon for taking the time to hear me out.

I rented a patio spot for my daughter's 10th birthday this last weekend. The slab of concrete with two small tables on it was little to be desired. There was no signage up to state that the area was reserved. We had to shoo people away who tried to come out and use the area.

Within 5 mins of being at the facility, one of my daughter's friend was told she couldn't swim because of the clothing she was wearing. She is not comfortable in a bathing suit and was wearing long shorts and a baggy t-shirt. We went up to the front counter and spoke with 3 of the employees to find out what the problem was with what she was wearing. It was explained to us that she couldn't wear cotton as it could clog their filters. We verified multiple times that only the shirt was the issue. We found a synthetic material shirt and passed the lifeguard to verify that the shirt was acceptable. She said yes. We were then sitting in the kid pool area, when my daughter and her friends came back to us (her friend in tears), saying that she was told again that she couldn't swim in the clothes she had on. NOW, they were considered "street clothes" and they couldn't allow it. My husband went and spoke with the head lifeguard (the same one I had verified the shirt with) and wanted an explanation. She told him that they don't allow street clothes because of sweat, germs, etc. He told her that we came straight from home to the pool and this little girl was going to swim in the clothing that she had on. The lifeguard agreed and said she would let the other lifeguards know that she was ok in what she had on.

A little while later, while swimming in half of the outdoor shallow pool (the other half was roped off for "swim lessons"), we put blow-up floaties on our 4 year old and 2 year old. We were holding them in our arms (my husband and I) and the lifeguard proceeded to tell us that the floaties weren't allowed.

Needless to say, we had had enough. None of the rules were specified ahead of time and our time at the pool that day was absolutely miserable. I would not recommend having a party there. And, please call and get their 500 rules prior to driving there. Total...

Terrible experiences!!!

I went yesterday with my 1,5 and 7 year old after school. We where the only patrons there except for a water polo team practicing. It was raining outside and an indoor pool sounded like a fun idea. When we got there the kiddy pool was turned off and the side where shut down and boarded up. We where told when we arrived that we could play in the kiddy pool, the small sectioned off part of the lap pool and that the therapy pool was now open to the public. However, this was untrue. After about 10 minutes in the kiddy pool my 1 and 5 year old where blue from the cold. We all went to the therapy pool to sit and warm up and immediately the life guard on duty YELLED at my 7 year old son to get out!!! When I asked her why she told me it was the “rule” and that if she made an exception for him she’s be fired! Despite the fact we where to ONLY people there to swim. The sign by the pool did say “youth 6 & under with an adult” which to me seemed like I just had to be there for my younger kids but my 7 year old could be there alone. I was told that my son could go “swim alone” in any other pool but could not join us. I went and immediately spoke to the manager on duty and they told me No he could not go in because he was a year too old and that’s the rule. She did say he could put his feet in🙄 At this time my 1 and 5 year old are screaming because they are cold and we are trying to figure out why their brother cannot join us and my 7 year old is crying because he thinks he’s ruined our trip to the pool. It was a disaster!!! For a place that boosts “voted best place to take your kids” they are super unaccommodating for families. The manager apologized but said she couldn’t refund my money. All she could do was give us a pass for next time. She then encouraged me to complain to the director because it was a silly rule but she would be fired if she let him swim. All I can say is what a disaster the whole trip was and embarrassing that staff Memebers would feel that they would have to tell me they would be fired as an excuse for a pointless rule!

All I can say is if your kid is ages 7-17 just know they are not allowed in the therapy pool even with a parent and you are the only...

My family and I always enjoy the CVSC.

In the past year, they've remodeled the locker rooms, which I like a LOT better.

Me and my two little ones only cost $6 on a Saturday. In spite of the 45 minute drive, and bonus of cheaper gas in Carson than Reno, we like to make the trip a couple times a month during the summer. Fill up at 20+ cents less than Reno AND spend a day enjoying the many pools available.

They have a warm pool, kiddie pool, two water slides, two diving boards, a rock wall two outdoor pools and on Saturdays at 3pm they set up an obstacle course which the kids love.

They also do parties and have a snack bar, just in case the kids get hungry half way through, lol. And an upper level observation/party area.

I don't know what would make this place better. The staff are all friendly and high school to college age, there are plenty of rotating lifeguards at all times and the kiddie area always has balls to play with and buckets of water to drop on your head, lol. Oh and they have all kinds of life jackets from puddle jumpers to adult size jackets.

I'd say 10/10 for family fun entertainment, at a...