Southwest Community Center & Pool

6820 SW 45th Ave, Portland, OR 97219, USA

Address:	6820 SW 45th Ave, Portland, OR 97219, USA
Phone:	+1 503-823-2840
Site:	portlandoregon.gov
Rating:	4.3
Working:	5:15AM–9:30PM 5:15AM–9:30PM 5:15AM–9:30PM 5:15AM–9:30PM 5:15AM–9:30PM 7AM–7PM 9AM–6:30PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 10

A Private User

PROS: beautiful building from the outside; relatively inexpensive; many classes are free; pool area set up for tots; the main custodian guy seems very competent and laid back. CONS: 1) What seems from the outside to be a spacious building turns out to house a fitness room not remotely large enough to accommodate the amount of equipment and users. This is the only gym Ive ever used where you literally have to look around while using equipment to be sure youre not going to hit someone squeezing by in the narrow aisles. Meanwhile, the lobby area is enormous and largely unused; whoever planned this building was clearly under the influence of something illicit. 2) If you are not in the demographic for this gym, you will feel out of place. The demographic is a U with tots on one end and retirees on the other. In summer the place is like Disneyland with locker rooms instead of ferris wheels. 3) Probably due to the families-with-tots factor, this is the only gym Ive ever experienced where they have a popcorn machine right outside the fitness center door, so on kid-intensive days youre trying to work off the pounds to the overwhelming smell of popcorn. I put in a polite note suggesting they move this machine somewhere else; I never received a reply (no doubt email is beyond the managements capacities) and nothing changed 4) There are some very nice employees at this gym but there are also some seriously incompetent people, at least one at the main desk and one manager. To give just one of many examples, I filled out a form specifying when my membership would end. A month before this date, my card became invalid and I had to explain that it shouldnt have ended for another month. One of the main desk people said shed get it fixed soon. I politely asked about it on the way out and she was annoyed, saying shed get to it. Two days later my card was still invalid. Same woman said shed fix it. Two days later still invalid, this time a very nice woman helped me out and put in a one-month extension. A month after leaving the area I noticed I had been billed for the month after I left; I called and told a manager woman (different from the others) there was a form Id filled out in their archives specifying the last day. She couldnt find it and all but accused me of lying. I told her all my stuff was in a storage unit and I could not get the form for months, she said there was nothing she could do -- then she found the form, did not apologize, and said I would have to get my refund through the Portland Parks Department, which could take months. I still have not received a refund. I could go on with other amazing examples of incompetence -- ok one more: the lockers are made of plastic and Im told this has led to patrons cars being stolen -- but that gives you the general idea. So, if being overcharged to collide with (friendly) senior citizens while doing chest presses to the smell of popcorn and wading through locker rooms thronged with children is your idea of an ideal gym experience, this place is for you. Building sure looks nice though.

A Private User

Why is SWCC not putting Robin K. back in the schedule for Step Aerobics? She had surgery and took a couple months off and is now ready to come back--but the SWCC coordinator is not welcoming her back! I could understand this if the teachers skills are so-so. However, this is a teacher that packs them in. There are many people (I have spoken directly with about ten) who have stopped their memberships for this reason. Several now have memberships at the 24-Hour-Fitness since there is an excellent step teacher there. Why doesnt SWCC want this business? Seriously, Robins classes had maximum attendance whereas few of the other SWCC classes have this kind of attendance. Bring Robin back!

Lance Pederson

We took our four little ones (all under the age of 7) to Open Swim on a Sunday. The staff is very friendly. The indoor water slide is pretty darn fast for being indoors. All and all we had a great time until we used the family dressing room to get ready. They are probably smaller than they should be and the floors were extremely wet. We had three little ones fall by the time we got out of there. The floors were way too slippery. If they can do something about that it would be a great time for the whole family.

A Private User

This is a great location-the pool is amazing (my niece thought she was in heaven in the kids pool) and the whole place is always clean and bright. The cardio room can get full (and warm!) but its a good place to get a workout in. If you only come sporadically the 20 visit card is a great option-it saves you a few bucks a visit (~$2 I think?) and you can use it for multiple people, so if youre dragging a friend or a spouse along everyone can get punched in on your card. Everyone saves!

Chad DelMain

I usually come here once a week for open gym. If its not Spring Break or a random day off school you can expect to get some good basketball run on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from Noon to 2pm. Price is a little steep ($6.75) but lets you use the entire facility (gym, weight room, pool, etc..). I just wish there was a different, cheaper, fee for those of us that just use the basketball court. The entire staff is always available and ready to assist.

Brigitte Naslund

This is a great community center with many options for fun, healthy and affordable classes for kids (and adults.) My kids really enjoy the summer day camps, the great indoor pool and the taekwondo classes. The staff that works at the camps as well as at the community center year round are top notch and very helpful and friendly. Another bonus is that they sell popcorn, popsicles and other snacks and drinks at the front counter.

frank baker

This place is great for both adults & kids. I come here for the fitness center, and one of these days I plan on taking one of their many fitness classes. We also bring our toddler to the pool - both for open swim and for swimming lessons. She loves it and they have a massive slide that is a lot of fun! They also have drop-in child care that is excellent. And the price is good for a family. Well be back!

Virginia Gonzales

A Private User

I have been taking step classes for about 18 years, from some really great instructors. Robin is hands down the best I have ever had teach a class. Maybe the other instructors feel intimidated because of the size of her classes. Since she quit teaching I have not entered the community center again. I guess that says something. I was very sorry to hear she will not be returning, neither will I Bill Fletcher

A Private User

We love it here. What a great place to bring a small child. One pool is set up for non-swimmer- fantastic. The swim lessons are very good here. The staff is friendly- they always say "hi" when we come in. We feel welcome here and enjoy what they have to offer. Our only "complaint" is that the summer camp our son was apart of offered a lot of sugary treats.