YMCA

About

The Walla Walla YMCA, located at 340 S Park St, Walla Walla, WA 99362, is a community-focused facility offering a wide array of programs and services for all ages. It typically features a fitness center, group exercise classes, sports leagues for youth and adults, swimming pools, and various initiatives aimed at promoting healthy living, youth development, and social responsibility within the community.

The Walla Walla YMCA typically features both a lap pool and a warm water/therapy pool. While specific, publicly listed temperatures may vary or not be explicitly stated, lap pools at YMCAs are generally maintained around 78-82°F (25.5-27.8°C) for active swimming, and warm water pools are usually warmer, often between 88-92°F (31.1-33.3°C), suitable for lessons, therapy, and younger children.

What are people saying (AI review summary)? Reviews for the Walla Walla YMCA reveal a mixed experience. While one positive review praises friendly, helpful staff and a welcoming, family-like atmosphere, the majority of feedback details significant negative encounters. Recurring issues include severe customer service problems and unprofessional behavior from lifeguards, such as rudeness, lack of empathy (especially towards a nonverbal special needs child), and poor communication, which caused distress to children and led to membership cancellations. Another major complaint involved billing inconsistencies, where a member was charged for years despite attempting to cancel, receiving only a partial refund, and feeling the organization prioritized profit and policy over its stated community values. Additionally, one reviewer reported being denied bathroom access during a YMCA-hosted event. These negative experiences highlight a notable inconsistency in service quality and adherence to community principles, contrasting sharply with the Y's mission.

Location

Gallery

Amenities

• Street Parking
• Parking Lot
• Accessible Entrance

Reviews

Listing Reviews

March 29th, 2025

Nicholas Croghan

While many people seem to have had positive experiences at the Walla Walla YMCA, mine was strikingly different — and disappointing enough that I felt compelled to share. After years of unknowingly being charged for a membership I believed I had canceled (I handed in the paperwork in person), I reached out to clarify the situation. Leadership confirmed they had no record of my cancellation and offered only a partial refund for the past three months — despite the fact that I hadn’t used the facility in years. I expected a community-focused response — something aligned with the Y’s stated values. Instead, I received a carefully worded policy defense and little acknowledgment of the long-term error on their end. It felt more like dealing with a profit-driven company than a mission-based organization. It’s clear that many have had great experiences here, and I don’t doubt those are real. But that inconsistency — where accountability depends more on technicalities than on people — speaks volumes. For an institution that prides itself on community, this experience was eye-opening and disappointing.

March 22nd, 2025

Tru York

The lifeguard was entirely focused on my special needs child the whole swim, and instead of trying to make it right when we voiced our discomfort, they doubled down on their rudeness, lack of accountability, and customer service. We cancelled our membership because it wouldnt have been worth it even without tonight's disrespect. We were trying to give them the benefit of the doubt after a handful of uncomfortable visits. My husband was already dealing with the issue before you were harassing my nonverbal special needs son who doesn't understand the rules, it takes longer for him to learn, and the lifeguard had zero empathy with him. As soon as we walked in she was glaring at my eleven year old. It's incredibly rude to stare at everyone, especially people with special needs. The lack of empathy and respect are the issue, actually bud.

June 23rd, 2025

Soul Finds

1 star because of horrible employment. My sister and I went to the pool and when we entered the life guard was just sadly so disrespectful. She didn’t even acknowledge us until I encouraged my little sister to speak up and ask if she needed to take the swim test in order to go into the pool. The life guard quite literally ignored my sister when asked the question and got up and walked away. We thought maybe she didn’t hear us so we asked again and the lifeguard rolled her eyes and said “yeah fine.” Then when it was time to do the swim test, the lifeguard didn’t say a single word and didn’t direct her on what to do. So my sister just stood there waiting for instruction and the lifeguard looked at her and snapped, pointing to the water and rolled her eyes once again. Now, I never make negative reviews but this not only bothered me as an adult but when your baby sister comes up with the courage to speak and ask questions very maturely to an adult and they react like that, it’s frankly very very concerning. This interaction bothered her so much that she couldn’t enjoy the pool and was teary for the rest of the night.

May 29th, 2025

Angela S

I love the Y! Everyone friendly and helpful! People of all ages are welcome here and all are treated like family!

October 26th, 2024

Andrew Benzel

Came for the family fright night. While in line my some had to go potty so we went around front to ask if we can use a toilet real quick and was told there were no bathrooms in the building....what?! I understand they can't have people just coming in and using the toilet but we were there for an event they were throwing.....