YMCA Shawnessy

Negative experience: How can I contact the administration? Please ensure the cleaning quality in the ladies’ restroom opposite the library on the first floor is checked. All it takes is cleaning with bleach. The smell is terrible, even though the floors were just mopped a moment ago—you can still see the water.

Fantastic experience: I like the hot tub.

Negative experience: The hours at this facility are brutal. Closes at 5 pm on Saturday. Probably the worse YMCA in Calgary.

Positive experience: Great location lots of great exercise machines I like that they have a running track right next to all the exercise machines but if you go just a little after 3:00 you have to deal with a lot of students, other than that it's a great place to get into shape

Negative experience: Was just told the YMCA at this location does not accept Access2 cards

Fantastic experience: It was very clean and very powerful place to study

Negative experience: Data collecting and selling to highest bidder

Fantastic experience: One the best ymca in the city

Fantastic experience: It's good for kids and students. Swimming classes are also good here.

Fantastic experience: I have been a member since I was a teenager and going away to camp. Toronto and Calgary building strength together ❤️

Negative experience: Not impressed with the Young Men's Christian Association- YMCA they are not very Christian at all they seem to only cater to the upper class. Must sign a contract. Must have a monthly source of automatic debit or visa. Upsell the elite get better privileges. They should consider changing their name they are so far from a Christian ✝️ establishment.

Fantastic experience: Go to place for swimming Had a library access

Negative experience: The manager there was very rude. We were waiting in line for our membership upgrade. There was only one men in front of us and we had already waited for 15 mins. My wife was calling her parents on FaceTime. The lady yelled at my wife and said the facetime was not allowed here. There was no sign or anything said it was not allowed. I asked that lady if she could help because she was just standing there with two other staff doing nothing and only one staff was helping the customer before us. She said: I'm the manager here and I cannot help you with your membership. This is why this YMCA deserves one star!

Positive experience: Clean gym, nice pool. Some food in the building too.

Negative experience: Customer service is so slow

Fantastic experience: Really good place for activities.

Positive experience: This place needs to get updated. Locker rooms are good but swimming pools are small and it's overpriced for what you can get compared to the Rocky Ridge location with a bigger hot tub, slides and a lazy river.

Fantastic experience: My son takes swimming lessons here and we had great experience

Positive experience: Positives: The volunteers tend to be a highlight and are usually pretty friendly. Some of the staff are great as well, but not all. The gym is half decent and I love going on the walking track. The Negatives: The pool staff are all over the place with rules, they tend not to be consistent which makes it confusing. Additionally, the pool is always slammed with lessons and classes that limit the pool from families just wanting to play around in the evening. My daughter is always disappointed here. The men's change rooms plumbing is a disaster. Sinks, toilets are often broken down and spilling brown stuff over the floor. If people can't wash their hands in a gym.....that's just sick man. They gotta get that fixed. I wish there was a better place close to home to bring my kid...this place kinda sucks to be honest.

Fantastic experience: Nice place, well-managed lot of activities under one roof

Positive experience: These two girls I would say 13 started kicking me for no reason

Positive experience: The facility is nice. The volunteer team works hard to keep it clean. The adolescents that hang around on the weight floor are rude and inconvenient. No one that works there seems to pay them any attention though.

Negative experience: Well, I have never been so disappointed in a facility and its staff anywhere else in Calgary. On my commute home from Downtown Calgary to the deep south east of Calgary which takes an hour and 15 minutes each way on public transit, but that is another rant for Calgary Transit to fix. I have a City of Calgary Recreation pass so I can visit any city owned facility during regular business hours. My cell phone died today on my commute so I decided to stop at the Shawnessey YMCA just to relax a bit and charge my phone a bit before finishing my transit home. I chose a quieter place in the facility to plug in that is at the beginning of the long hallway that connects the YMCA to the High School that is in the same building. There was a registration table there that was not busy and there was no one signing up for the for YMCA Summer Day camps with one young adult male there looking after registration. A few minutes later a few girls came out from the day camp as well and you could tell that they were talking about me as they were looking at me while all silently whispering among themselves. About a minute later, the young male came over and asked me , " are you here picking up someone from the day camps?", I stated no, that I was just there to charge my phone as the battery had died and needed a quick charge up before going home. He then looked at me and said, "if you are not here to pick someone up from the day camps then you need to move yourself elsewhere as there are parents coming through here shortly and you cannot sit here" I have never been more appalled by the attitude of this young guy, and his female workmates who were the ones that asked the young guy to come ask me to leave as he said nothing to me before they arrived and never been more publicly embarrassed by anyone in my life. This is a public building that I am registered with the city of Calgary and hold a recreation pass which gives me the right to be in the facility to start with. The city of Calgary needs to have sensitivity training given to its staff about the when and how to speak professionally and to be respectful to members of the community no matter how old they are , the color of skin, the age or sexuality what happened to me was ageist, was not based on anything but immature school girls and boys that need to be education a public shaming . I do fully expect to hear from a member of the management staff from the YMCA Summer Camp by Monday of next week.

Fantastic experience: The manager of the swimming facility is an exceptional lady, I was truly impressed with her management approach of the facility

Positive experience: Bathroom is soo dirty , i came many times but still dirty . No one cleaning the bathroom.

Negative experience: The ladies washrooms are filthy and smell urine all the time. Now, with the water restrictions it’s worse. We do not have access to the pool. I am wondering if we are going to have any partial refund for this month. 6 years ago, this gym was better. Also, I forgot my towel one day and when I asked if I can use one they said it’s only for + Members, I understand that but you could make an exception for one time. I do not enjoy going to this gym and I am cancelling my membership by the end of this month.

Negative experience: So old, so crowded, manager Jessie never answer the phone never gets back to voice mails. Toooo expensive for drops in Would never go there

Positive experience: Lots of things to do as a paying customer but very little for library and viewing.

Negative experience: Very bad experience today at the pool. The young lady who supervises is very unpleasant and rude. I used to come to the YMCA on Sunday mornings and she was never nice to me or my children. She wants to respect the rules but doesn't respect others, It's a shame. The rest of the staff is OK.

Negative experience: Too many teenagers hogging the equipment while texting on the phone.

Fantastic experience: Nice place for family rec activities.

Fantastic experience: Went to watch our grandchildren play basketball. It's a great facility.

Positive experience: I lost my locker at my 4th day somone stole it From locker hanger

Fantastic experience: I have been going here for over 10 years. Warm and friendly people.

Fantastic experience: Believe it or not! I'm giving 5 stars because of a staff member called (Jania) on front desk. I'm a new comer and I & my wife showered her with questions about the gym, pools, library, prices and hours for each and everyone of us aside. She was responding with details and recommendations written on a slip of paper and illustrated on screen for more details on website. She was smiling & laughing all the way, even my 6 years old son loved her. YMCA are lucky to have her on front desk, and we are getting our membership there for sure.

Negative experience: They charge 19 / day for low income citizens with a low income pass, that not ok it should be improved discount on all services at ymca not selective please

Fantastic experience: Amazing gym. Older and smaller than the other YMCA’s but it’s a perfect place for me. Friendly staff. Always clean.

Positive experience: We love coming to the Y. Something for everyone. This location needs a slide for the kids again. They used to have one for the younger kids, but they haven't replaced it in over two years. The change rooms could use an update especially to add more changing rooms. Pickleball nets and some other equipment need replacing. Better customer service than Seton.

Negative experience: Men are allowed into a woman's changing room. Me and my young daughters should go to "all gender" changing room if we are not comfortable with the fact - this is what staff told me a few times when i complained about it. I canceled our family membership and switched to the other gym.

Negative experience: Given there are other non-profit run facilities in Calgary that offer membership fees from $10 to $15/month less than YMCA Calgary, I can no longer justify paying one of the highest rates (barring private fitness clubs) for access to similar amenities. In addition, the $75 registration fee is exorbitant given relatively inexpensive fees elsewhere. The 'Y' used to be about affordability for active lifestyles. It is now being run like a high-end sports facility. Look elsewhere for more reasonable membership rates.

Fantastic experience: Most of Ymca in calgary. This is the best. But sometimes reception staff are very weird. Try keep time while coming in. You might have to weight at entrance for 10 to 20 mins on weekend. No Courtesy from staff.

Positive experience: A family recreational centre dedicated to building healthy communities in order to create lasting personal and social change. The Shawnessy location has only 2 pools for swimming. One really shallow one and a deeper one. There are changing rooms and rooms for group workout classes. The gym floor also has many equipments , bikes and other workout equipment. There is a climbing wall for kids. There are many programs at the YMCA.

Negative experience: should’ve not gotten a membership lmfao 5:30 closed

Positive experience: I'm putting 4⭐ only because the Seton location is better.

Fantastic experience: Great atmosphere, alot of weights timing is 30 minutes but that's fine, I can adjust

Fantastic experience: Great environment, at the gym everything was clean and in working condition

Fantastic experience: Large and good facilities, cleanliness could be improved, not horrible, but some areas felt over looked

Positive experience: Water in childrens pool is not warm. Even the instructors shiver

Negative experience: Worst YMCA I have ever been to. Kids are not allowed to use the pool unless it is their swim time. Try explaining that to a 2 year old. No play place to entertain kids while they are waiting. Instructors are more interested in gossiping than teaching

Negative experience: Great but open hours could use some extending, closing at 5pm on saturday and sunday is a little early

Fantastic experience: It is very calm and quite recreational facility. All the staff is very noice and cooperative

Fantastic experience: Loved the atmosphere. Just can't access steam room because they require a plus membership. Can't do steam in drop in. Only hot tub by the kiddie pool. Very nice to go with kids. Went originally to climb but you gotta book that in advanced online ...

Fantastic experience: Nice and clean. Our kids enjoyed their time there

Positive experience: It's really good but on the program it's said that it closes at 8:00 pm but sometimes it closes at five pm and I just don't understand from where I should know this

Positive experience: Seems at least 2 or 3 treadmills broken. Very crowded at times. Seems dark. Could use an update.

Negative experience: I wasusing this facility from last one year for my daughter swimming lesson.this is our 5th lesson and the worst instructor ever. The instructor is more of like enjoying her swimming time rather focussing on kids to learn. I wish this class to finish ASAP . Watching her during swimming class makes me angry.

Negative experience: Imagine you take your 4 years old kid on Saturday morning to swimming pool and the staff tell you she is not able to swim because there are multiple swimming lessons! You take your kid home while she is crying all the way! No respect for members!

Negative experience: *UPDATE May 10, 2024 Went and inspected the Shawnessy location and after 4 years they still haven't replaced a single piece of equipment, majorly worn and unkept. Access waiver is still in place even though they claimed it wasn't required over the phone. Filthy and massively over occupancy, fitness center and pool is constantly packed. High school students endlessly loitering around equipment in groups. Turns out this has been a known issue for years and is simply being ignored. Can't read the weight numbers on any of the machines as they are worn off. Lockers showed signs of theft and break-in's, customer service supervisor's never answer the phone or make themselves available at their respective branches. Signs of cost overruns everywhere, stay far away from Calgary YMCA locations. Never going back, horrible facilities. All Calgary YMCA facilities implemented a “legal right affecting” access waiver during Covid and they never removed it. This waiver releases the facility from "all" responsibility including slips and falls, injury from equipment, theft and lack of security. Called asking when this waiver requirement would be removed and they told me they would drop it after Covid, never happened. I've reached out to managers and tried to contact upper management about it to no avail. Customer service is non-existent, stay away from YMCA facilities unless you want to become a statistic. Unmaintained equipment. Before this waiver requirement I saw broken equipment where the welds had even broken loose. Uncaring about your safety all for the sake of their bottom line and cost cutting.

Negative experience: Why one star? 1) Worst YMCA compared to Ramington or Seaton in Calgary. 2) Rude entitled staff, who have terrible tone and attitude to everyone visiting. Few good people, most just absolutely terrible. Very rude and aggressive people working here. 3) Old equipment in the gym and not enough equipment, poorly planned. 4) Kids swimming pool doesn’t have much to offer. Steam room for plus members is best, that is about it.

Negative experience: Charges $80 dollars a month the facility is okay but it’s nothing special. If you’re a parent you got to pay $5 dollars everytime you want to go to the gym as if parents don’t already struggle with finances. Then you say okay let’s do it you and your kid sign up. The swimming kid pool is nothing special compared to all of the other ymca. Why do you charge the same amount for a 5 star gym an a 2 star gym? Doesn’t make sense. Also I’ve been harassed by one of the life guards. I told him I’m married and his answer was I am too but it doesn’t matter . So it’s an expensive facility that is not really worth it and I also feel uncomfortable going because of that dude…

Fantastic experience: 5 stars because they were nice and have people who play instruments after closing.

Negative experience: Terrible place overpriced, for drop in swimming is expensive. Lockers do not have locks you need to buy their 20.00 ones or use your own. Never going back what a waste of time and money.

Positive experience: As with most places, the people are the most important part of the Shawnessy Y. All the staff and volunteers are super nice. The amenities and facilities could use an upgrade, hence the 4 stars. I hav

Fantastic experience: Amazing environment, amazing staff especially on the weight floor. They are always ready to advice and help customers to exercise with the proper form avoiding unnecessary injuries.

Fantastic experience: A great place for all members of the family. Friendly staff and a safe environment.

Fantastic experience: Great weight room with lots of machines and space. I appreciated the sight of some machines such as the belt squat which you don't see in regular commercial gyms. Aside from the facilities the staff was very kind and friendly. Excellent customer service. Highly recommend.

Fantastic experience: Been there for swimming classes and gymnastics for my son. Swimming is a bit crowded at times. Gym is over crowded most of the time. Good and friendly staff. Very helpful.

Positive experience: Great place awesome staff. The only negative comment I would give is I wish they would answer the phones when calling. I can never get ahold of anyone. I only call when I can’t find what I need online. Frustrating why is the number even attached

Fantastic experience: Good staff and place but I wish closing hours were later like 10pm especially on weekends how it was before covid if I remember correctly! Also gym is kind of small, needs more space as it’s busy often.

Fantastic experience: I am incredibly happy with the swim lessons at the Shawnessy YMCA pool. Elizabeth is currently my daughter’s instructor and she is patient, competent, and kind. My daughter has made significant improvement in her water skills and she loves going to her lessons every week. We also enjoy the YMCA front desk staff and stopping by the library at this location.

Negative experience: Decided to visit this location. Upon arrival, I was told I need to provide Identification in the form of an ID card from the government. Im aware this is privately owned and business's can ask for whatever they want for you to enter or deny you access, but this seems a bit much. I didn't have my card with me as Ive never been asked anywhere I go unless at a casino, club or bar. Who would think you would need that. I suspect its for security purposes as I read some articles from the newspaper about locker theft and someones care stolen. I mean cool and all but why not up your security ? Don't leave car keys accessible to the public for a fob. The licence is great and all, but for a law abiding citizen, what an invasion. I can understand from a Casino, bar and club since age requirements apply to enter but a pool ? Really ? Needless to say, I won't be back again. What ever happened to personable items being left at owners risk? If your stupid and bring important things...you know... Leave your wallet and phone at home or in the trunk of your car.... The only thing you would need to bring in is your car keys... if you drove. Plus, security cameras everywhere.... they can see you... Also, the lady we dealt with was kind of rude at the desk to other patrons. I think some people have personal stuff they are using to project on others....

Fantastic experience: I love this place. I come here daily as this is where my wife works. Lots of amenities and very close to shopping center, train station and fastfood restaurant. My kids have their aikido here as well. The library is great as well.

Fantastic experience: All types of program from zumba to yoga. Very nice water temp in swimming pools.

Positive experience: The location shows its age, obviously the bathrooms are not updated like Seton, but the equipment is, the fitness classes are great too

Negative experience: Got terrible staff. I'm not a member but I paid quite a bit money for drop in. That's fine I understand. I asked code for women change room and she said I can't use it it just for member who pay extra. She talked with unfriendly tone and keep said I can't use it. I understand since the first time. Why she keep repeat it. Same lady 2 weeks ago My first time in this location, I ask about information for drop in she said I don't know go and ask the other person. Thanks lot.

Fantastic experience: Been a member for a few months and really enjoy this location. The staff are fantastic and the facility is always clean. Huge shoutout to Scott the lifeguard for his helpfulness and fantastic job dealing with the kiddos.

Fantastic experience: I have been coming here for more than a year now and the reason, the amazing service and kind kind words at 6am every morning from the front desk staff, in particular Mary. I really look forward to seeing her smily face and hearing her kind motivational words before I put myself though hell :-)

Negative experience: What a terrible experience to have without even setting foot on the premise. I have a membership through a volunteer affiliation and in trying to bring my kids to this location I have called upwards of 5 times for answers to specific health and safety-related questions. The two times I have been able to speak to a person they were unable to answer my straightforward questions. I have also sent three emails, one specifically requesting a manager call me as I would rather solve this once and for all than go to the internet with my grievances - but here we are. For an institution that claims to be in place for the people I have had nothing but hostile interactions and blatant ignorance. I will not be bringing my kids here and would much rather pay more money to deal with staff who actually care about the community. Good on ya, YMCA.

Fantastic experience: Clean facilities. Wish they had a few more weight machines. Lots of treadmills, elliptical machines and cycles. Also has a running track and a couple of rowing machines. There is space for doing mat work as well. The pool is great and they have rock climbing as well as basketball and badminton courts.

Fantastic experience: I learned swimming lessons here and my parents go for workouts here. It's a very nice environment and clean.

Fantastic experience: This facility provides excellent service to our gathering every week. The two staff member team namely Brittany and Donna. I m thankful to them and all other staff that supports our program. I have been using this facility for last 10 years. Excellent staff and service Thank you all staff at Cardel Rec Centre.

Positive experience: Lots of parking which is nice. Overall a decent facility. Some parts are a bit dated/could use some touch ups. Pool area is a bit cramped and hectic getting kids signed in for swimming lessons. There is adequate room in the observation area for parents to wait. Library is great. Haven't used the fitness facilities, so can't comment there. Climbing wall looks nice and the gym areas are good. Staff is generally friendly.

Positive experience: Our son takes swimming lessons there and he loves it. The facility could use some updating but the staff makes up the great experience there.

Negative experience: You Pay a lot of money for a membership, they don’t have daycare drop in after 3 and they book up every pool from 4-8 so people who work during the day and have children literally can’t use their membership. It’s ridiculous. They wouldn’t even let me and my son in the lane pool even tho no one was there. It’s a waste of money

Fantastic experience: I mostly enjoy the pool aspect for lane swimming and it is great! There are so many options here though, so everyone can find something!

Fantastic experience: Amy at the front desk was very helpful today and demonstrated exemplary customer care. Thank you.

Negative experience: was contacted that I won a contest but then never received my prize and was never replied to when I emailed multiple times. Really hoping they aren't just using my logo that I created without any recognition or at least tell me that they decided to scrap the contest

Positive experience: Great local community place to hang out - gym- swimming all is here

Positive experience: The swim lessons for little kids are excellent, gym could use some work. Everything is really crammed in there and there is no space for stretching, to the point where people use the outside track lane for box jumps. Track has uneven surfaces too. Will continue to use for swim lessons but not worth the membership.

Fantastic experience: I love the pool at this YMCA, it’s accessible and a decent size! They have plus change rooms and a family change room so that’s an added bonus! I have gone here with friends and the staff are always so kind!

Fantastic experience: Haven’t been to the pool and gym, but felt in love with the library already. The rep was nice and acted fast helping me get a card, which I can print $5 free every month. Will bring my kids here to read them books. There is a playground inside for kids as well. Not really ideal for a library but it’s ok.

Fantastic experience: Lush pool. Compared with Seton & Remington: Shawnessy is by far THE best pool. Shawnessy pool maintenance gang - you guys rock! Please keep up the good work :)

Negative experience: Had a terrible experience this Sunday morning when I tried to bring my two boys aged 10 and 12 to workout with their grandfather. We were visiting all the way from California, and the militant manager and staff refused to allow us into the facility because we did not have paper Id for the two boys to just run around the track. They repeated their programmed mantra of ‘safety’ and ‘it’s our policy,’ while clearly failing to use their own common sense and sense of judgement, which prevented my boys from getting exercise and creating lasting memories with their grandfather of 84 years. So ridiculous when family friendly local gyms start behaving as personnel in Government agencies.

Fantastic experience: We have been using this YMCA location for years. And place is awesome. Lots of activities for families, nice gym and pool areas.

Fantastic experience: Very nice facility. 2 pools. 1 for activity and one for laps etc. Large gym facility and basketball courts and 3 inside ice rinks and a number of various use courts.

Fantastic experience: The YMCA Shawnessy has so many great amenities that we've put to great use over the years. Their gym is really well equipped, their pool is great for littles, their library is also really great for kids and their courses are great too!

Fantastic experience: I cant say enough about this place. Aside from their incredible facility and amazing gym equipment... the staff here make everything THAT much more enjoyable. Jennifer has helped us in such GIANT ways, we are so so grateful for her. Thank you jennifer :) and thank you for this wonderful, pleasant facility with beautiful, caring, compassionate staff! ❤️

Positive experience: We got membership at the Y for the climbing wall. I would recommend that no one else does this - the climbing sessions are ridiculously infrequent and the reservations fill up in less than 1 minute (literally, I've attempted and timed it multiple times). Management does not seem to be considering adding more drop-in climbing sessions. The app to view and book sessions is also dismal - inaccurate, difficult to work with, and kicks you back to a website for most bookings. The facilities themselves are well-kept, clean, safe and fine. We keep our membership for the non-reservation, non-climbing uses - drop in skating, pool, etc but do not recommend it for anyone who wants to take advantage of the climbing or classes.

Fantastic experience: Great place to go!

Fantastic experience: One of the best YMCA's in Calgary. Practically everything is offered here, from family karate to day camps and lessons, as well as activities for seniors and kids. Their is a wide variety of gym equipment, there are free times, where you can play anything you wish in any of the gymnasiums. Staff are friendly and willing to help anytime.