Suffolk Family YMCA

About

Community fitness center with a swimming pool, a basketball court, and childcare, plus summer camps.

While specific pool temperatures for the Suffolk Family YMCA are not publicly listed, YMCAs generally maintain their lap pools for comfortable swimming, typically around 80-82°F (26.7-27.8°C), and may have warmer pools for lessons or therapy, often in the 88-90°F (31.1-32.2°C) range, to support a variety of aquatic activities.

What are people saying (AI review summary)? The YMCA is lauded for its family-friendly environment, community focus, diverse programs, pool, basketball court, and childcare, with the Open Doors financial assistance program being a highlight. However, numerous concerns point to a significant decline, particularly regarding facility maintenance and management. Common complaints include worn-down equipment, unclean locker rooms, and a critical issue with non-functional AC and visible mold that was only superficially addressed. A major area of criticism is the severe lack of disability accessibility, including non-functional automatic doors and blocked handicap parking, which is seen as contradictory to the organization's equity claims. Management is frequently described as unresponsive to member and parent concerns, including medical issues, fostering a perceived 'good ole boys network' resistant to new ideas. Crowding during peak hours and inappropriate nudity in men's locker rooms also pose issues. While some staff and programs like swim lessons are praised, the overall sentiment indicates a facility struggling with upkeep, accessibility, and leadership, despite high membership costs.

Location

Gallery

Amenities

• Accepts Credit Cards
• Accessible Entrance
• Accessible Restroom

Reviews

Listing Reviews

August 7th, 2025

anon

The YMCA has a lot of great offerings, especially for families and those looking for a community-oriented gym. The staff is generally friendly, and I appreciate the variety of classes and programs available. The pool and basketball court are nice features, and the childcare service is a big plus for parents. That said, the facility could use some updates—some of the equipment feels a bit worn down, and the locker rooms aren't always as clean as they should be. It can also get pretty crowded during peak hours, which makes it hard to enjoy a workout. Overall, it's a solid option if you're looking for an affordable gym with a community feel, but there’s definitely room for improvement.

July 1st, 2025

Marshall Stipes

I’ve been a member of the YMCA of South Hampton Roads and attended this location mostly for over a decade, off and on. While the Suffolk Family YMCA remains one of the largest and most family-oriented facilities in the region, it has noticeably declined since the change in management and recent renovations. Big problem: accessibility. This facility is not disability-friendly. If you have mobility challenges, good luck. Handicap parking is a mess—terrible parkers frequently block the access ramps. The automatic doors? Often turned off or non-functional. And if you have any upper-body weakness, you’ll find out quickly that “24-hour access” doesn’t mean 24-hour usable access. The final straw? The AC has been out for nearly two weeks during the hottest stretch of 2025. This isn’t a new issue—there’s been visible mold growing on the ductwork, which they recently just painted over instead of actually fixing. With what they charge for memberships and programs, it’s hard to justify keeping the facility open under these conditions. Box fans blowing hot, stale air through a packed gym is more than uncomfortable—it’s a serious failure in facility management. In this economy, I don’t know how most people afford a full-price membership here. The Open Doors Program for financial assistance is still a bright spot, and one of the only reasons I haven’t walked away entirely. But overall, this place feels more focused on appearances than actually supporting the community. For an organization that claims to champion equity and inclusion, their disregard for accessibility is disappointing at best—and discriminatory at worst.

July 17th, 2025

Anne-Randolph Bolling Curran

Management has gone down hill - reached out multiple times before leaving with no response to messages from management or board.... and as a former board member for a long time ... if you don't do what the good ole boys network demands then you are out.. worst board I have ever been a member of ..... so disappointing. They are not willing.to listen to new ideas to advance the program or to let other be leaders of the. Board. Don't know how long it will take for change to happen here ... glad to be gone and to be a part of a healthier fitness - community centered program

June 13th, 2025

Nate

This is my child's first summer camp at the Suffolk YMCA. Upon drop-off on June 10th at approximately 8:30 AM, I requested to speak with the director regarding a medical concern. The attendant contacted Mrs. Noa Banks, who refused the request and instructed me to call instead. Despite leaving a message, I have yet to receive a return call. I find this lack of responsiveness to a parent's medical concern regarding their child unacceptable and inconsistent with the expected standards of a children's program.

May 14th, 2017

Sio T

My son spent two months here for swimming lessons. Because we were not members we paid $70 for the class. It was worth it. Staff are awesome, pool is cool, and awesome facility. The men's locker room is great. Shower area is nice. The downside is that there are men walking around naked in the locker room so it's no a good idea to let kids go in on their own. A few men sat there talking to themselves, which was very scary.