Southside Aquatics

This pool is Norfolk's newest recreational center and is a real beauty. For those outside the swimming community you would never know about the shortage of swimming pools this area has, but it's true. This new facility was a very welcome addition to Norfolk and the surrounding communities. The complex is almost a year old and looks it too. The building is a looker from the outside with all glass and clean lines. A really cool bronze statute greets you out front of a woman with long legs and arms stretched out. Parking is good, but not sure I would say great if they were really busy. One thing that will not be too much of an issue is this facility is not really set up for swim meets. Could they do a small one... YES! They even have a scoreboard. I really don't see it. Also a drawback is no exercise room that would have been a sweet enhancement.As you enter the check in desk is in front, a nice lobby with TV to the left and lockers to the right. Also to the left and down the corridor a bit is a large multi purpose room with kitchen. This was an important aspect of the facility to hold meetings and accommodate parties etc.The locker rooms are very small, with only two benches to change on. This was one of the missed opportunities I will speak to in this review. They had plenty lockers, but few stalls and a small showering area. However, I found them to be spic and span.Let's get to the exciting part. The pool is a six lane with a two story water slide that swirls you outside and back in and down into the pool. They also have a basketball hoop. I was impressed with pool and deck, it was really done nicely. There are blocks at the end of the lanes for diving starts. I am unsure if the length is in meters, or yards. The size of the pool was the biggest missed opportunity of the complex. An eight lane pool is standard for running swim meets. A six lane is completely inadequate to hold a swimming competition. There is a score board, but my assumption is not one meet has taken place. They most certainly had the land to expand. There is probably two acres out back. It will be interesting to see if this land is ever developed.The spectator area is first class. Just off the deck on three tiers. It is comfortable and parents can easily see there swimmers play, take lessons etc. This is something they gave some thought to and I score this high having seating just off the pool and close to children.The lifeguards that I encountered were approachable and nice to talk to. The evening that I attended a lifeguard not on duty was providing private lessons to a young swimmer. The guards have there own room which is state of the art with exam table and plenty of cabinet for storage. I also saw the must have defibrillator.I like the location of this aquatic center, especially in Norfolk where the greatest need was. The city had the foresight to seek the funding and got it built. However, the lack of a eight lane pool was just not smart at all! Compare what the City of Virginia Beach does at there recreational centers. Everyone is an eight lane competition pool.If your a resident of Norfolk you can get in for a discount, other pay more. Of course they have membership and I would recommend. Since they offer lessons parents should take notice of when classes are being offered to make sure the little one can swim. There is so much water in our community and programs like this are perfect to educate on water safety and have fun.

I'm sure it's a lovely facility, but the fact that they won't even answer the phone at any time of the day ( you get a voice recording) is disappointing. Not to mention the fact that when I downloaded there schedule it is from March of 2014. Here's an idea. If the schedule never changes...drop the year and just leave the month. At least that way it won't look like you aren't keeping up with the schedule.

Slide is awesome! pool is very clean staff is very nice. restrooms, locker room etc always stay clean

I thought I would go there and try to freshen up on my swimming skills because I just learned, I'm not perfect but as I'm trying I could see the lifeguards laughing at me. I understand that it maybe could have been something else that made them laugh but I'm no dummy I knew it was me. With the two individuals being lifeguards you would think there would be more compassion for someone who isn't a pro but is trying to learn on their own.