About
The R.W. Houser Family YMCA in Onalaska, WI, is a comprehensive community center offering a wide range of programs and facilities for all ages. It features a fitness center, group exercise classes, aquatics, youth programs (including child care and summer camp), sports leagues, and various community events, focusing on health, well-being, and strengthening the community.
The R.W. Houser Family YMCA has two pools: a Lap Pool maintained at 80 degrees Fahrenheit (F) and a Warm Water Pool kept at 90 degrees Fahrenheit (F).
What are people saying (AI review summary)? This Y generally receives praise for its nice, clean facilities, well-kept equipment, and excellent programs such as 'Live Strong' and 'Project Live.' Many members appreciate the supportive staff (outside of lifeguards) and genuine concern for the community, with some highlighting successful fundraisers. However, there are several key areas for improvement. A recurring complaint concerns the lifeguards, who are often described as unpleasant, unapproachable, and rude, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere that contradicts the Y's inclusive mission. Another significant grievance is the policy prohibiting children from walking the indoor track with their parents, especially during colder months, which is viewed as counter-intuitive to promoting 'Happy Healthy Families.' The facility is also frequently noted as being too busy. Other specific suggestions include redoing the women's locker rooms and upgrading certain gym equipment like the bicep curl machine.
Location
Gallery
Amenities
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Accepts Credit Cards
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Accessible Entrance
Reviews
Listing Reviews
August 30th, 2025Zachariah Her
Nice facilities, clean, and the equipment its well kept and they work. The low review is the staff. Specifically the life guards. I dont know why the life's guards are so unpleasant. They arent approachable, rude when they make corrections to kids and adults. In particular the female life guards watch you like a hawk just waiting for corrections. Its very uncomfortable. Their website said that its a safe and inclusive place to be. A place where all belong, according to who's working I guess.
April 6th, 2025Bert Phillippi
I will gladly upgrade this location to five stars if there is a plan to redo the women’s locker rooms. Otherwise, this is a phenomenal Y in terms of the programs they have to offer, staffing, and genuine concern for the members they’re come and go on a daily basis. I recently participated and the pedal for a purpose fundraiser as well as the project live fundraiser both fundraisers support the Live Strong program and also the project live program that are both run out of this location as well as the downtown location for the Live Strong program. I have met so many wonderful people and look forward to every time that I walk through those doors.
February 19th, 2025google giggles
Great for bball courts. Your children are not allowed to walk the indoor track with their parent. They can take some class of course. Rather ridiculous to just walk indoors, in winter, in Wisconsin. Think someone needs to rethink that one a bit.
January 18th, 2025Dan Dymond
It's a fine Y but it's always way too busy and they changed it to not even allow kids to walk with an adult on the track. Seems counter intuitive to "Happy Healthy Families". It's cold 7 months of the year and I'd like to walk with my kids.
May 16th, 2025Josiah LeCleir
Decent equipment, one thing I wish they would change is their bicep curl machine. A simple preacher curl machine would be far superior.
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Opening Hours
| Sunday | 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Monday | 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Thursday | 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Friday | 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Saturday | 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
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