The Kroc Center - Salem, OR

"I love paying $40 to swim and be treated like an inconvenience when asked to use a changing room/restroom with my 5 yr old and 3 yr old. They were all locked. Nobody was in line, didn't even notice there was a line because I had never been. Was chastised for not waiting in line for them to notice me lol and then offered a room with soap and suds all over the floor after asking politely for a room that was obviously being mopped down. I'm carrying two toddlers who kept slipping and I could've easily slipped and fell, no cleaning signs were up either. Would've been fine waiting for one also but there was no productive communication with whomever was assisting me, if you can call it that. This was hilarious after reading so many signs and dealing with the lifeguards on power trips enforcing the rules lol After the rude encounter I honestly was so disappointed in this place, still am obviously. I went and discussed at the front desk and they offered a complaint card. I'm sure that will get me far. Talk to your staff and your lifeguards. On your phone while guarding? Turning the slide on but don't have any guards at the top for safety and guidance for kids. Annoyed when they get the courage to go ask to go on it? Honestly the only thing the lifeguards kept doing was telling the adults to get out of the hot tub because of the rules about being in arms length with younger kids it's apparent they only care about certain rules but not others.Take the money spent on marketing and signs about the rules and invest in training your staff on the basics of common courtesy. Not worth the money."

"Took our kiddos today hoping to have a fun family day. Cost a little over $70 after passes and purchasing a swim diaper. The slide was only open for 20 minutes due to low staffing is what we were told. Charged $12 for a 1 year old that got in trouble for sliding over and over on literally the only toddler toy there. Nobody else was in line for it either. Why charge $12 if you don’t provide an actual toddler area or let them be toddlers on the one thing you do have ? Not to mention it was absolutely freezing and she shivered the entire time as well as our older child. Been to many aquatic centers with our kiddos and have never left disappointed like we did today."

"We came here for our first time ever and I can definitely say we will never be returning back ever again. We came as guests with some friends and thank goodness we didn’t have to pay for entry. the locker room staff behaved and treated us so rudely it was astonishing. Like I said, this was our first time here ever so walking into the “community” locker room was overwhelming. I’ve never felt so uncomfortable in a place setting that is supposed to be fun for the family in my life until today. The demeanor and attitude from the staff was disrespectful. Instead of asking us how they can help us, they decided to scowl at us for not knowing the rules and system for the way the locker room works. Don’t take your family here and waste your money. The front staff was AMAZING though. Like I said we will never recommend this place or come back here again."

"I used to love taking my daughter here. However, I prefer swimming in rivers and lakes and when I have to swim indoors I started preferring the Dallas Aquatic Center. Today I took my daughter, one of her friends, and my one year old son in to swim. First, they said they were at capacity and we would have to wait but we could only do so if we bought passes and they were non-refundable. We decided to go for it because we were told it would only be a 15-30 minute wait. Then they charged me the same amount for my one year old that they did for my 14 year old and we had to wait an hour and a half to get into the pool. The slide was closed, the water was cold, and the room was cold. My little boy was freezing so we left and I was going to take a hot shower with him to warm him up but the water in the shower room wouldn't budge above freezing cold. I asked two employees and they told me they were having issues with the some of the showers. I said my son was freezing (he was visibly shaking and his lips turning blue) and asked which showers were working and they said they didn't know in a way that made it clear they could not have cared less. I ended up just having to dry and bundle him up as quickly as I could. I was mulling over getting a family membership but, after today, I won't be back."

"I absolutely LOVE this place. I wish I knew about it sooner. It’s hands down the BEST place in the valley for kids & family. They also have the best birthday party venue!"