Firstenburg Community Center

700 NE 136th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98684, USA

Address:	700 NE 136th Ave, Vancouver, WA 98684, USA
Phone:	+1 360-487-7001
Site:	cityofvancouver.us
Rating:	4.5

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 7

Michael Wood

My child recently took swim lessons through this center and I would advise seeking swim lessons elsewhere. I was very disappointed to learn at the end of the course that my child (4 years old) failed his class. When asked why he failed (after only receiving positive feedback during the course), I was given the answer of "because I need him to take it over". Eventually I was provided a more direct reason from the instructor that he did not float well enough on his back… I followed up in voicing my concerns with the instructor and manager that we were not given any feedback during our sessions nor were we given the curriculum until the end (which is given to first time students). I believe that if we had been given the course curriculum at the beginning and homework to work on throughout, our child would have had a better outcome. Also good to note, that at this time the course outline online is substantially different than the course curriculum that is given at the end of the sessions. During my conversations with the staff members I learned that only 1 out of the 6 children in my child’s class passed (and it was their second time taking the class). Additionally, the staff that I spoke with admitted that many students have to repeat each course a few times....(@ $80 each) as there is a lot of material to review and learn. To me this is very alarming and this low success ratio. And this “success ratio” is a complete failure. I am not understanding how retaking the same course will set a child up for success if they are reviewing all of the same material. If the course curriculum is too much why not break it up into smaller sections where kids can be successful and parents can feel that their money and time are valued. Or perhaps more thought should be given to having longer sessions to set them up for success the first time. I mean, lets promote some confidence building and success here. To me this "success ratio" is a complete failure on their part. Breaking down my child’s course curriculum (there are 20 bullet points, with 4 hours of swim lessons (we had 8 sessions of 30 minutes), and 5-6 students per teacher) which equates to about 5 minutes of one on one time with each child per lesson. Even less than that when you factor in group activities. Even with factoring in the group activities in reverse there are still 20 bullet points with 240 minutes of instruction time (12 minutes per bullet point). Yes there are some activities that may have two or three bullet points rolled into one. But nonetheless the math just does not add up to success with young ones. Keep in mind, I think the instructor did a fine job teaching. I do believe however that they should have communicated with the parent(s) throughout the course rather than just the end. When in fact we asked each session how it went. I dont believe the curriculum for the timeline is designed for success as it sits. And with admitting most kids retake the course multiple times to pass. How can a child be successful by taking the same course if he only failed on one point (of the 20 points on the curriculum). In fact if you experienced this same thing i would strongly suggest you contact them. Phone number is easily found on the city parks and recs website through the contact us page. I DO NOT recommend taking swim lessons from Firstenburg. Save your time and money and seek elsewhere.

Eric E

I like Firstenburg but its too expensive. Since its a city organization (Vancouver Rarks and Rec), the customer service is somewhat lacking. Theres lots to do. The gym has a ton of options. There are basketball courts, a place to run, weights, ping-pong, party rooms, billiards etc. You can get a membership here as well. They have a large pool. Its one of the best in town. Theres a big slide and a "river" with a current. Keep in mind that this pool can be kind of chilly. I always feel very cold when Im swimming here. Open swim is pretty full most of the time. Lifeguards are always attentive. They have family changing rooms, a must for families with little boys and girls. Overall, this is a clean, well-run community center with a lot of options. Its great for families. Oh, the city library is also attached to it. How convenient! Its just really expensive.

Jessica Mallard

I am not a member, but have signed my kids up for swimming lessons the last couple years at Firstenburg. When I found out my mother was ill, I called to withdraw my four children from their lessons because we needed to travel right away. Unfortunately, I was charged $5 per child to withdraw from the classes, something that was not communicated to during the 15 min I was on the phone registering my kids. Read the brochure front to back and the fine print my friends! I have since became a member of the Clark County YMCA! The facility is so nice, the staff is attentive, the membership is a lot more affordable, child care costs are included in the membership, the bathrooms are much cleaner than Firstenburg, the kids programs are much more affordable AND you wont be charged if you change your mind on a class!

A Private User

Took my 6 year old daughter there for a swim. Awesome pool with fun water features. The river is a unique feature and the water slide was impressive. I liked the availability of the family locker rooms. The only thing that I disliked was the numerous unposted rules that were being enforced by lifeguards whom rarely removed the whistles from their mouths. I am just a yuppy dad swimming with my little girl (not rough housing or being obnoxious in any way) and I got the whistle blown and reprimanded 3 times during our swim. I almost asked for a list of the things we were allowed to do as I thought that list may have been shorter. I understand the need for rules and enforcement but the constant whistling was a little on the obnoxious side.

J C

Great community center for the east side of Vancouver neighborhoods. They have many sport classes and leagues for kids. Nice indoor swimming pool, tracks and excise facility. Swimming lessons are offering for kids as well. They only thing is that you need to register your kids very early to get a spot for your kids cause classes and sport league fill very quickly. I think is time for the city to build another community center in this part of the town, especially with so many families moving here recent years. FIrstenburg center gets very crowed often now. Try clark YMCA if kids sport are fulled here.

Nathan Robertson

The kids love it here, but the entire pool is too shallow to be of any practical use to an adult (I hit the bottom/scrape my back every time I go down the water slide). Also the pool fills up rapidly during the summer, and you should show up an hour early if you want to get in. This is apparently common knowledge among the staff, but no one could be bothered to put it on the website. Also the snack bar is crazily overpriced. I paid $15.00 for two packages of grandmas cookies and two chocolate milks... I only wush I was kidding.

Jocelyn White

This place is redefining the purpose of a community center. They are fun, friendly, and full of treasures. They have several pool and ping pong tables, an amazing swimming pool with a slide, and rooms for delightful events. Even their little snack shop is convenient and adorable. My boyfriend and I willingly walk an hour to beat each other at pool here because we love this place. They even have a library on campus, very interesting! Firstenburg: ideal for families, friends, lovers, and everyone.