The Water Works
Schaumburg Community Recreation Center
505 Springinsguth Road
Schaumburg, IL 60194
847-490-2505
| Cost: |
- $7 for adult resident, $9 for adult non-resident |
|
- $5 for youth resident, $7 for youth non-resident |
|
- free for children under 2 |
|
- memberships available |
|
- coupon info. below under "logistics" |
| Hours: |
Parent/Tot Swim: 10-11 a.m. Mon-Fri (school year only) |
|
Open Swim (through June 5): |
|
5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Monday-Thurs. |
|
4 p.m. – 8 p.m. Friday |
|
12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Sat. & Sun. |
|
Summer Open Swim (June 6-Aug 9): |
|
11 a.m. – 5 p.m., 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Mon.-Fri |
|
12 p.m. – 5 p.m. Sat. & Sun. |
| |
Closed Aug. 9-22 for yearly maintenance |
Parent Comments & Ratings
PROS
The Water Works is more than an indoor pool. It includes a water playground, three large water slides, a lap pool, a gradual beachlike entry pool, a rapid water channel and a whirlpool. In the zero-depth area, there are also three or four little “fountains” where the water shoots from the ground – a fun feature for toddlers.
My son is like a little fish. He cries when bathtime is over and will stay in the pool until he’s shriveled and shivering. So, for us, The Water Works has been a great place to frequent, especially in the winter when he misses the beach.
Even though the parent/tot swim is only an hour in the morning, it’s my favorite time to visit the pool. It’s very relaxed. There are usually just a few mothers and their babies or toddlers. It gives my son and I a chance to play together without all the splashing from the older children. And nearly every time I’ve visited, staff has allowed us to use the swim toys, like pool noodles and kick boards.
Another great feature of the Schaumburg CRC is the nursery. It only costs $2 per hour, and the staff is great. They remembered my son’s name after his second visit, and he loves all the toys and activities they have. So, if you’d like to take advantage of the whirlpool or the lap swim (opens at 6 a.m.), you could drop your little one off at the nursery, and pick him or her up in time for the parent/tot swim!
CONS
The Water Works can get busy on the weekends. When it gets too crowded, it can be difficult to enjoy with a toddler. On one occasion there was so much splashing, my son swallowed too much water and we had to cut our visit short.
My two-year-old likes to go down the little slides on the water playground. Of course, I have to take him down, because the playground is designed more for elementary-aged children. If there was a toddler slide or a small section designated for younger children, this place would be even better!
LOGISTICS
Check out http://www.oakleesguide.com/coupons.html for possible coupons.
The Water Works and the nursery are located on opposite sides of the building. So if you’re dropping your little one off at the nursery first, it’s easier if you park in the small lot closer to the intersection of Bode and Springinsguth. Otherwise, you’ll want to park in the lots near the playground, as they are closer to the pool.
Right outside the pool is a desk usually staffed with two people where you can pay the pool admission. You’ll give them an ID in exchange for a key to one of the locker rooms, as well as a locker key. (If you’re using their workout facilities, you’ll also receive a towel.) You can ask for the family locker room if you’d prefer. All the locker rooms have recently been remodeled, and have showers, lockers, bathrooms and changing rooms.
If you’re using the nursery, you’ll need to pay at the front desk located at the other end of the building – near the nursery. If you plan to come often, you can buy a punch card and leave it at the nursery, so you don’t have to pay each time you come. When you sign in and out, the nursery staff will just deduct the appropriate amount from your card. Nursery staff doesn’t change poopy diapers, so they will come find you if your little one needs changing. There is also a toddler-sized potty in the nursery your child can use, but staff doesn’t assist with the potty process.
There is a little snack shop attached to The Water Works that serves sandwiches, snacks and beverages. It’s open during open swim hours only. It’s a nice little place when you’re hungry after a swim, but it’s never open after the parent/tot swim. Since my son falls asleep in the car after our swims, I usually bring a little lunch for him to eat at the CRC. There are some vending machines, chairs and a TV outside the nursery. That’s where I usually feed him, as he watches cartoons.
Pool closing times may change due to private rentals. I’ve never had a problem with this, but I usually call ahead anyway, just to make sure everything is a go before I load up my toddler!
Membership rate information can be found here: http://www.parkfun.com/Programs/Aquatics/MembershipRates.aspx
For more information about the nursery and other programs at the CRC, you can read the Schaumburg Community Recreation Center review.
Website:
http://www.parkfun.com/Programs/Aquatics/WaterWorks.aspx
|