The Quays ‘Eddie Read’ Swimming & Diving Complex

They shut the pubic swimming baths to the public, so rich people can have the whole pool to themselves, I don’t understand why they dont set the floor in the diving pool at a certain depth, and have private pool party’s in there? The public own the quays, the tax paying public paid 6 million pounds towards the construction, slso active nation is a sub contracting company, posing as a charity, this is highly illegal, and immoral, when you join, they ask you to donate,£1 –without specifying if thats, a week, a month, a year? I asked a lady manager, who was a volunteer, and what makes active nation a charity? And who got the donations? She agreed with me, she just works at the leisure centre, no staff are volunteers, and she doesn’t kno why active nation is a charity? In defense of the staff, I don’t think it’s fair on them to have to pretend to work for a charity-​and I did my best to not make it seem personal, she was a luvly girl, I also pointed out the rust stains on the tiles, she agreed they were disgusting, they’re still there, but I think they might need special equipment, the”company” active nation still gets subsistence and grants from the councils-​they run bitterne and other places, they could buy the necessary equipment, and share it when necessary with other venues. p. s I read a review by (paulRo…) I’m sorry to hear he felt like the odd one out in southampton-​by not having any tattoos! There are some great tattoo studios around Southampton, or perhaps you could go to Portsmouth-i’d recommend Darren stairs, especially if you want a life like portrait done! I thaught this app was to review venues-​not the general population, Southampton has done me a personal wrongun, but physically, the inhabitants are the same as anyother city.

Swimming pools are amazing, water is perfectly clear. I used sauna, steam room, lane swimming in main pool and gym. Nice friendly environment. Staff were helpful and friendly. I will continue to use The Quays facilities. Also I had opportunity to meet at The Quays our 2012 Champions, Peter Waterfield and Tom Bailey. Overal l– Very good experience

I am about 3 months in to an annual Active Nation membership that permits me to use all the facilities at The Quays (and other far less conveniently located — centres in Southampton).
It is very unlikely I will be renewing my membership.
My main gripes concern the swimming pool and its changing rooms.
1) Southampton Swimming Club (SSC) are allowed to monopolise the main pool. At the most popular times of day (i.e. early morning and early evening) they take over all but 3 or 4 lanes and everyone else is crammed in to what is left. I realise SSC have to train but do they really have to get all the best time slots on all weekdays? Can’t they go to Bitterne on some days?
2) The swim changing rooms are grubby, smelly and the showers are very poor (low water pressure, too hot, etc.)
3) There is far too little supervision of children at The Quays and in the swim changing room in particular. The amount of noise groups of rowdy, foul-​mouthed boys can make is unbearable.
On 26 April 2011 I emailed «The Quays» to complain about SSC monopolising the pool and I have yet to receive ANY form of response. The reason I have gone to the trouble of writing this review here is that I am annoyed at having had to email them again today to prompt them for a response.

This place is amazing. The pool is perfect for swimming lengths, and sure, it gets busy at times. But nothing out of the ordinary. I completely disagree with the review with one star. I think The Quays is a very good and sociable place to be. I’ve been to the fitness suite which I must say is exceptionally good. The instructors are very helpful and know exactly what they’re doing. They’re very friendly and are always a helping hand when you need them. I was very surprised at how helpful the fitness staff was — they taught me how to use all the machines properly, what weights to use and also they sorted me out with a personal program. At no extra cost! You definitely pay the right amount and there are plenty of facilities to use so it is definitely worth visiting.

Avoid in the middle of the week on a half term or on saturdays sometimes if you are seeking a decent lane swimming experience, as you will get banded swim time only and loads of angry parents and screaming children. however, it is a very stylish place to swim, cheap for solent uni students :), and very very calm when not in crazy kid mode. has a gym as well which i havent been to yet. plus sexual health clinic downstairs should you need it.

Have to say that I’ve been to the Quays quite a few times and have found it to be an OK place to go. I do agree with the previous review about the load techno music. I mainly go there with my toddler and occasionally I have found it a headache with the blaring music. The kids bit can also be really cold so I go to Flemming Park in Eastleigh instead as it’s much warmer and quieter. It is expensive and you have to pay for parking — £1 is redeemable at reception. The previous review did make a reference to the people who frequent the pool. I did find the review funny but I have to say that if you go anywhere in the centre of a busy city centre then you are going to attract all sorts of people it’s not always like that. Thursday and Friday mornings are a lot quieter avoid a Saturday as the whole city seems to flock there. There should also be a rule that no teenagers should go in at certain times as it’s very unsettling to keep focus on your baby when there are 12 kids playing tag in front of you.
The changing facilities are good and the main pool is great for lengths. I have done some fitness classes too and been to the gym all of which were well run and well equipped. However it is a pain to get to if you live on the outskirts of the city but that’s doesn’t seem to stop anyone getting there.

I use the gym in The Quays from time to time because there is a no contract facility. Its not that cheap (for a council gym) to do it this way but serves a purpose. The gym is very well equiped with the latest weights centre. There are always knowledgable instructors on hand to help you should you need it. The swimming pools are good too, which I use from time to time. My child enjoys the fun pool particularly, its good to go in term time tho as it can get quite busy in the holidays.

Awful.
What sort of a city seeks to destroy any vestiges of community by putting of the most monstrous retail parks smack in the middle of its historic centre? Welcome to Southampton, a city that worships the car, ignores any architectural continuity and has a by-​law that fat men must wear hooped earings and must not wear shirts once the thermometer hits 80f.
It is also the city that has come up with The Quays; a building of outwardly interesting architectural merit, but messes it up but putting it between medieval battlements and a pyramid-​shaped hotel. Las Vegas for pikies.
Anyway, on with the review. When you get inside, you realise that they have an impressive diving pool, with a clever movable floor, a nice lanes pool covered by a beautiful wooden roof. But there’s no natural light. It’s stuffy. It echos off every surface. Awful.
Did I mention they also play techno in the baby pool? Loud techno. I couldn’t hear my 9 mnth old’s sweet gurgles for the Utah Saints.
Anyway, the baby pool. We went early on a Sunday. One the locals told me it was quiet. I reckon it was 40 metres square and had about 40 parents in it. And 40 babies. I think I was the only man in that pool who didn’t have a tattoo. I swear some of the toddlers even had them.
Finally, what amuses me about this is the concept. For example, I knew there was a pool in the centre of Southampon, so I called directory enquiries and asked for pools in Southampon. Nothing. Swimming baths? Nothing. Health clubs? sorry no. However if I’d have phoned and asked for ‘The Quays ‘Eddie Read’ Swimming & Diving Complex ’ I might have got their number. You can see the council meeting now. Let’s put up striking building with bad ventilation and no natural light and no room inside. Let’s charge £4.30 for a half hour swim, more than even central london prices. However, we’ll brand it cleverly. That’ll get the punters in. That’ll create the wow factor our city so desparately needs.
To it’s credit the changing was clean and fresh and the lockers were free.
But overall a real pity.