Jamie Platz Family YMCA

We are very satisfied with Jamie Platz Childcare Centre, where our child received care. The educators are knowledgeable, kind, and patient, and they made our child feel safe and comfortable. Our child was always excited to go to daycare, which really shows the level of care, attention, and safety they provide.nnThe programs and activities are great and support children’s development in a fun and engaging way. Communication with families is also excellent, making you feel welcome and informed and giving real peace of mind that your child is in good hands.nnThe environment is warm and supportive, and all the educators care for every child, not just those in their rooms. Our child knew all the educators by name, which shows how connected and comfortable she felt.nnThank you to everyone at Jamie Platz, and a special thank you to Imelda Cajanding for creating such a positive and caring environment.

Disappointing Experience at YMCA: Not a Family-Friendly MomentnnAs long-time members of the YMCA, my child and I have always appreciated the family-friendly environment. However, an incident this past Saturday left us feeling disappointed.nnMy child has several classes on Saturdays, and we often get McDonald’s for lunch and eat in the YMCA lobby. This weekend, the area was particularly crowded, and all the tables were occupied—even those that looked empty were taken. I politely asked a man working on his laptop at the only large table if we could share it. He reluctantly agreed but said, “You can sit, but you can’t eat here.”nnWhen I asked again for clarification, he replied, “You can’t eat at this table because I’m working, and I don’t want anyone eating near me.” Not wanting to argue, I moved on and asked another family at a smaller table if we could join them. Thankfully, they kindly agreed, and my child was able to eat lunch there.nnThe YMCA has always been a welcoming place for families, and sharing tables is common—something I’ve both done and experienced many times. But this was the first time I’ve encountered someone claiming “ownership” of a shared table because they were working. This is a community space, not a private office.nnI hope the YMCA can remind members that shared spaces require mutual respect and consideration, especially when it comes to families with young children.

Camila is the best swimming teacher at Jamie Platz YMCA. The whole team is kind and welcoming, but Camila truly stands out. She is very gentle, patient, and respectful toward the children, which makes them feel comfortable and excited to learn swimming. She is always smiling, asking the kids questions, and giving thoughtful compliments that build their confidence. Even children who are shy or new to the class quickly feel happy and included with her. We really appreciate her positive attitude and wonderful teaching style.

This experience was incredibly upsetting and honestly heartbreaking.nnWhen we signed up, we specifically asked if bringing a stroller onto the fitness floor was allowed and were told yes. Based on that guidance, we worked out consistently for almost two weeks with no issues or concerns raised by staff. Then, mid-workout, we were approached by staff and told that the stroller was not permitted on the fitness floor and that I could only use the track. We were informed this was raised after an off-duty manager who was working out noticed us and instructed staff to speak to me.nnTo add to this, the on-site childcare was not an option, as my baby was too young to be accommodated. Bringing the stroller was the only way I was able to work out at all during this postpartum period.nnWhile the General Manager did later apologize for the miscommunication, the way this was handled was still deeply upsetting. Being stopped in the middle of my workout, in front of others, after nearly two weeks of being told this was allowed, was humiliating. I felt exposed, embarrassed, and completely deflated.nnAs a postpartum mother, getting to the gym is not casual or easy — it takes enormous physical and emotional effort just to show up. This gym had become one of the few places where I felt like myself again, where I was slowly rebuilding my strength, confidence, and mental health after childbirth. Being publicly restricted in that moment left me fighting back tears and feeling unwelcome.nnDespite the apology, the interaction felt more authoritative than compassionate. There was no real acknowledgment of how vulnerable that moment was or how discouraging it can be to be shut down after doing everything right and confirming policies in advance.nnThis is not about the rule itself. It’s about being given permission at signup, trusting that permission, having it reinforced over nearly two weeks, and then being publicly corrected mid-workout.nnFor an organization that promotes community, inclusion, and family support, this experience felt like the opposite. I left feeling embarrassed, discouraged, and questioning whether postpartum parents are truly welcome here.

I like the YMCA and most people are nice. There are however extremely judgemental, uncaring people there who care only about money or status. I don't use my phone when I walk/run laps. I notice a lot of people not working out and just using their phones in the gym. Even in the shower area in the plus room people were bringing their phones in. Sometimes they bring weird bottles off label liquids not sure what this stuff is they are using and spilling but I pointed it out to a YMCA staff member and they cleaned it up immediately, thank you staff. I charge my phone in the lounge area sometimes but I do not record anything or take photos or videos of others. The basketball Bin could use some nice new proper sized basketballs for people to play with, it was a bunch of small deformed ones when I went to play.