About
The Bernie R Lefebvre Aquatic Center in Fort Walton Beach, FL, is a year-round indoor public aquatic facility managed by the city's Parks and Recreation department. It features a 25-yard, 6-lane heated pool offering various programs including lap swimming, water aerobics, and swim lessons.
The main lap pool at the Bernie R Lefebvre Aquatic Center is typically heated and maintained at approximately 82 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius).
What are people saying (AI review summary)? Reviews for the Aquatic Center are mixed, highlighting both strengths and significant drawbacks. Positively, many commend the kind, comforting, and enjoyable teachers and staff, noting effective gradual skill learning for some children and positive experiences for adult fitness, like water aerobics. However, recurring issues include an inconvenient monthly re-registration system with limited slots, and a lack of clear class progression or skill levels, which often leaves children unchallenged or confused. The facility is frequently criticized for being outdated and having cramped locker rooms. Furthermore, some parents reported instances of staff yelling at children without warning and being reprimanded for intervening with their own kids on the deck, even for safety. Policies like making parents leave the deck during initial lessons were also unsettling for young swimmers. While some observed their children learning 'something,' these operational and disciplinary concerns led several to consider or seek alternative swim programs.
Location
Gallery
Amenities
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Accepts Credit Cards
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Accessible Entrance
Reviews
Listing Reviews
October 26th, 2024Wanderer Warrior
The pluses are that my kids’ teacher was very kind and comforting, and in general, the staff seem like they enjoy what they do. Now here are the issues we had after one month of swim lessons. First, you have to sign up each month for the next month and if you miss it, you miss it. If the class is full, you miss it. While the pool serves many ages and stages of kids and adults, there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of rhyme or reason to it. I can’t figure out which skills each level of class is supposed to be learning. When I taught lessons, there were specific levels with specific goals and the parents knew what those were. Here I am just confused. The facility itself is outdated and the locker room is extremely cramped. We’ve actually gotten dressed in the van after lessons instead of fighting for space inside. One of my kids is a little more energetic than some, and sometimes requires reminders to focus. He responds well to a first reminder. But in the four weeks we’ve been here, he has been yelled at three times by three different people. No warning, no calm explanation, just a reprimand. At one point, I noticed him and another boy in class dipping their goggles into the pool and letting them float down a bit before reaching to grab them. The lifeguard hadn’t said anything, and it was too sketchy for me to leave it because the boys could easily have fallen in headfirst. I walked over to my son and asked him to stop doing that and told him why. I told him I would take the goggles from him if he did it again. One of the pool workers came and told me not to go talk to my son during class and to stay off the deck. My kids are essentially brand new to swimming, so I’ve been very interested to watch them. Not to mention one of my kids was very, very scared at the beginning of lessons. She was looking for me constantly during that first class. But in the first class, they make all the parents leave the pool deck and go to an outer courtyard to get instructions that could very easily be shared over an email. It was unsettling for my daughter and for me. I appreciate what they’re trying to do here. I appreciate that my kids had fun and that yes, they learned something. We’re moving, but if we were to stay in the area, we might try one more month with a hope of improvement but give up after that if we didn’t see more rhyme or reason to it all.
July 20th, 2025Jemee Tegli
A great place for kids to learn how to swim and gain gradual technical skills over a period of time.
September 21st, 2024Perry Dean
We are new to the area and found this place because 2 of our kids wanted to continue swimming. I signed up for a month and basically spent the first month finding out my kids are bored because they aren't learning. I thought there would be only one session to evaluate the kids, but a month? My kids already know how to swim, and they didn't move them up. My kids aren't learning anything new, and we only finished out the month because we paid for it already. We will be liking elsewhere for training that will challenge my kids to learn more. Just FYI. You have to continue to sign up every month, not like other places where you just pay monthly and go, and the slots available are limited. So, in my case, not only did my kids not move up, but I would, in essence, have to keep fighting for a slot to sign up. It's not worth it, in my opinion.
March 22nd, 2024Iris Wells
My first three day pool workout at the Aquatic Center was Great! I thoroughly enjoyed myself and am now raising my energy level and strength. The pool team have been quite helpful and enjoyable to be around! I certainly recommend this place for a new life goal!
September 4th, 2024Tammy Ritter
I take the water aerobics classes Monday through Friday which I enjoy. I only wish that I could stay in the water after class a little longer. Their schedules are definitely tight with ongoing classes and lane swimmers.
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Opening Hours
| Sunday | 12:00 – 5:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Monday | 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Thursday | 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Friday | 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Saturday | 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
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