About
The YMCA of Montclair, located at 25 Park St, Montclair, NJ 07042, USA, is a community-focused organization offering a wide array of programs and facilities. It is dedicated to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, providing amenities such as a fitness center, group exercise classes, swimming pools, sports programs, and youth-focused activities including camps and after-school care, serving as a vital hub for community wellness and engagement.
The YMCA of Montclair maintains its Main Pool at a temperature of 80-82 degrees Fahrenheit. Its Warm Water Pool is kept warmer, typically ranging from 88-90 degrees Fahrenheit.
What are people saying (AI review summary)? The reviews offer a mixed but predominantly critical perspective on the YMCA. Many members appreciate the consistently welcoming atmosphere, a wide array of family and kid-friendly activities (such as swimming lessons, childcare, and summer camps), and good adult amenities including a well-equipped gym and diverse exercise classes. Positive feedback also notes the cleanliness, organization, lack of overcrowding, and the structured nature of childcare programs. However, significant negative experiences highlight severe issues within the aquatic department, specifically criticizing manager Tammy for unprofessionalism and unresponsiveness. A critical incident involved a child nearly drowning due to negligent lifeguarding, leading to a threat of legal action. Other complaints include poor customer service, difficulty obtaining refunds for canceled classes, and a general feeling of dissatisfaction and disconnect when expectations of a community institution are not met. One suggestion for improvement was to make the high-performance training room accessible to all members.
Location
Gallery
Amenities
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Accessible Entrance
Reviews
Listing Reviews
May 28th, 2025Lisa Hannah
What I’ve appreciated over the years—both in the past and present—as a member is the consistent welcoming atmosphere. When my sons were toddlers through their young adulthood, there were always plenty of kid- and family-friendly activities, from swimming lessons to family swim nights. We also benefited from other great offerings like child care and summer camp. For my husband and me, we especially enjoyed the adult amenities, including the weight room, swimming classes, and a wide variety of exercise classes.
August 24th, 2025Geoffrey K
I’ve enjoyed being a member over the last two months. The gym has almost all the equipment I need (regular weights, squat rack, assault bike, cardio machines, TRX ropes, bikes etc) and the staff does a good job of keeping things organized and clean. I haven’t had any issues with overcrowding, and the adult open swim hours are very reasonable so it’s not too hard to get a swim in. My one wish is that they would open the high performance room to all members, not just accessible to people getting private lessons. There’s equipment there like the sleds and turf area that I’d like to use without paying for a trainer.
July 22nd, 2025Marie Elena Domiciano
We love all the school-aged childcare options. We've used Aftercare, Summer Camp and Staycation programs. Each program has a structured, enriching and engaging activities planned for the kids.
June 12th, 2025Seeka Seeka
Experiencing dissatisfaction at a community institution like the YMCA can be disheartening. It's a place often associated with positive values, health, and community engagement, so when those expectations aren't met, it's natural to feel let down. Perhaps the issues stemmed from a specific program that didn't deliver on its promises, or maybe there were concerns about the facility's upkeep or the conduct of certain staff members. One of the most frustrating aspects of a negative experience at the YMCA is the feeling of disconnect from the community it's supposed to foster. When interactions are subpar, or when the environment doesn't feel welcoming, it undermines the sense of belonging that the YMCA aims to cultivate. This can lead to a sense of isolation and disappointment, especially for those who rely on the YMCA for social interaction or personal growth. Ultimately, a bad experience at the YMCA serves as a reminder that even well-intentioned organizations can fall short of expectations. It highlights the importance of clear communication, responsive management, and a commitment to upholding the values that the YMCA represents. While one negative experience doesn't define the entire organization, it does underscore the need for continuous improvement and a focus on ensuring that all members feel valued and respected. Tammy the manager of the aquatic department is very unprofessional. She shouldn’t be the manager. My kid almost drowned because of her guard, and if how unprofessional they are, the Lifeguards should be picked wisely. It’s so upsetting when I find out that the life gaurd that actually do their job get fired. Tammy should be terminated as soon as possible. She is not a good fit to be a manager she’s very rude and never seen something like that. I am absolutely suing the YMCA Montclair because of how unprofessional the lifeguards are how I could’ve lost my son. My son is six years old. It took five minutes for Lifeguard to respond that wasn’t even on the chair the Lifeguard that jumped in named Armando. He was giving a class and he jumped in to save my son when the other guard is sitting on his chair, telling Armando jump.
August 20th, 2025Haitham and Olena Zaidan
I will preface with saying we have never attended - I signed my daughter up for swimming classes, and was told that class is being canceled due to low enrollment by Claire in Aquatics. I asked if we can switch to another class, did not hear anything back, so I asked for a refund. That was over a month ago. I have emailed and called many times to no avail. Someone tried to put me in touch with the manager Tammy. I have left several voicemails to both and still no response. All I want is a refund, and no one seems to be able to do anything about it other than directing me to people who don’t pick up their calls or answer emails.
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Opening Hours
| Sunday | 7:00 AM – 6:00 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 – 6:00 PM |
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