Renfrew Park Community Centre

I came here to walk the trails and walk the park, however, the park is uneven, not safe in some areas, especially with the hills that lead to the fence. Community center is no better. They really need to raise the standards here for safety both inside and out. I don’t think that the people working here are ever happy.

I don’t heavily use Renfrew’s services or facilities, as they unfortunately do not have many classes that work with my schedule (I wish their step class was not on Tuesday evenings!), but I do regularly attend Alicia’s Monday evening Zumba classes, which are always a great workout. (Her Friday evening Bellyfit classes at Collingwood are amazing.)
The location is convenient for transit users, being only a ten minute walk from 29^th Ave. Skytrain Station, and despite a very modest price increase recently, the prices are some of the cheapest in the city. (A 10 class punch card is now $ 42.75, increased from $ 39.)

My regular center since its closeby home. 2 stars deducted because of the customer service attitude from that «John» at front desk of the pool/​gym. Everytime I saw him being on his shift, he always has attitude w everyone asking for helps, service, scanning cards. He replied w the slowest/​annoying «i-​do-​not-​care» voice. Sometimes i wondered if he smoked pot before his shifts. Seriously dude, you only have one job. Other front desk clerks are friendly and helpful.
I wish they have steamroom there too :(Standard-​equipped facility. Clean and bright.
Avoid weekend and before 11a.m. Its so packed with all the seniors and families during those peak time. Do not think about picking up your next here unless you have different taste.

0 stars goes to the African Canadian counter clerk that never smiles and always looks aggravated when somebody asks a question or wants to pay for something. Poor customer service.
2 stars for the gym facilities being decent. I come here quite often only for the gym!

Renfrew park community centre’s hub is its pool, and it is Very family oriented. They break down the pool itself into 4 generously wide lanes, two of which are for children’s lessons, one leisure lane (more kids just playing) and one for actual lane swimming. This means that swimmers of all levels and speeds are crammed into one lane, so you’re often passing someone or else being passed. Thankfully the lanes are so generously wide to facilitate all this passing, but I still wouldn’t recommend it as my first choice for swimming. They do have a large hot tub, hotter than most I’vd found at community centres, and also there is a dry sauna where the grown ups hang out and wait for the kids to finish lessons.
The weight room is extremely small, but it does have a little bit of everything, including one full rack, one half rack, a set flat bench, three treadmills, a couple stationary bicycles, and dumbbells to 45kg/​100lbs. It gets very very busy after 5pm so expect to wait for everything that time of day. Truthfully I’m surprised so many locals cram into that tiny place when there are so many other options in terms of community centre weight rooms– path of least resistance, I guess.
Finally, it should be noted that the hours of operation are super wonky at this facility. Out of the seven days of the week, they have five different closing times– Monday and Wednesday they close at 10pm, Tuesday and Thursday close 9pm, Friday at 630am (or was it 7?) Saturday at 5pm, and Sunday at… Umm… 6pm? You get the idea; confirm hours before going.
I know I’ve said some not great things about this facility, but the community who uses the centre seem to love it there and use the amenities with ease. I’ve given it an extra star for that, as I have to consider that maybe I’m just spoiled on some of the other more extravagant facilities in the local area, for examples: Hillcrest Aquatic and Bonsor Community Centre.

Had planned a multi– gen adventure day with use of the games facilities of ping-​pong, air hockey and pool table but at a rate of $ 9/​family (non transferable can’t be used at other centres) membership it seemed steep so we stuck to the pool and gym. On April 14 they will next take a turn with the traveling fun centre in the pool called «Wibit». I have taken pre-​teens and teens and they all have fun on the ‘wipe-​out’ like course that has no extra fees beyond pool admission. Most vanRec Ctr take turns hosting the Wibit.

Dirty equipment. Dirty facility. No one wipes down their equipment. Staff is unfriendly. Never again.