Sam112 wrote:
Couple corrections regarding JC Dweller's post- There is an entry fee for the pool, varying from $3-$5, depending on weekday/weekend. The membership just allows you to not pay for entry fee. In effect, with the membership, you are paying ahead and/or saving some money if you swim several times a week regularly. The "early hours" for members is not accurate, except that during the summer, there might be an extra "members-only" hour on weekends. In past years, the "member only" weekend hours were great - started during July and ran through Labor Day and were from 9AM to Noon. Last year, the Recreations Department in their vast wisdom, basically resisted do summer members-only weekend hours and finally gave us 1 hour (11AM to Noon) after being pressured by members -- but by the time they finally did so, the summer was almost over. And yes, I have a big gripe with this issue and Rec. Director, Ryan Strothers. Hopefully, he will be more responsive to members this summer.

It is just a pool (no fitness equipment). However, there are some fitness classes that are run out of the Pershing Field Community Center -- Also an art classs. You can get brochures on these programs at the pool. There has also been some discussions regarding fixing the track at Pershing Field thanks to Councilman Rich Boggiano

Anyway despite my gripe re: limiting of members only hours, it is a nice community resource - Pool is indoor, open year round. But remember it is a public pool (although not free) -- from now until July 4th when the free outdoor public pools open, it can be crowded, and at times, the cleanliness of the locker rooms/showers could be better (again, right now it's relatively heavy usage).

You will need proof of residency to join. Would recommend you pay one day to take a swim and see how you like it.

bodhipooh wrote:
My comment is based on my experiences from three years ago, so some things may have changed.

You don't really pay to "join" since it is a public pool, open to all, free of charge. You can pay to have the privilege of swimming at an earlier time than the public open swim hours. Is it worth it? I think that it is. At that early time, you will find that only serious people are using the pool to do what you would expect from a dedicated crowd willing to pay and swim at that time. It is open to anyone willing to pay this extra fee (back then, it was $75 for the season) and you swim in whatever lane is available. I used to go daily and I think only once or twice did I have to share a lane. YMMV. You will find that some of the people swimming early in the morning are doing so as training for triathlons and such, and you may learn a few things from them by engaging in conversation. The lifeguards in duty (at least one of them when I was doing it) was also a coach and would offer some pointers on technique, etc. As for other equipment, there is just the pool. After I stopped going, I heard that the showers and lockers were improved. I would suggest going out there and taking a look. Honestly, for $75, I think it is worth paying the extra fee if you are committed to swimming early in the morning. You will not need to bother with people just hanging out taking up space.