Great Neck Recreation Center

Name: Great Neck Recreation Center
Address: 2521 Shorehaven Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23454, USA, Virginia Beach, VA, US
Telephone: (757) 385-5940
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.1

2521 Shorehaven Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23454, USA

Overview

Category:Outdoor Sports for Kids

Location:Virginia Beach, VA

Expert Summary

Detailed Insights

This recreation center offers a clean environment with consistently praised friendly and helpful staff, making it feel like a community hub. While facilities are generally well-maintained, particularly the gym equipment, the swimming pool faces persistent issues with cold water, which is a significant drawback for families with children, despite claims of an 84-degree temperature.

Key Highlights

✓Consistently friendly and helpful staff who are 'on their game'.
✓Clean facilities, including the pool and general areas.
✓Well-maintained gym machines (for parents or older children).
✓Polite and friendly community of users/swimmers.
✓Generally considered 'priced right' for the value offered.

Standout Features

⭐Highly attentive and welcoming staff.
⭐High standards of cleanliness throughout the center.
⭐Community atmosphere, with friendly fellow users.
⭐Value for money (described as 'priced right').

Perfect For

Older Children/Teens (10+ years): Potentially suitable for those who are strong swimmers and not sensitive to cold pool water, or who might use the gym facilities with parental supervision.

Adults: Ideal for lap swimming (if tolerant of cold water) and gym use.

Younger Children/Toddlers (under 10 years): Likely unsuitable for swimming due to consistently cold pool water, which could be uncomfortable or unsafe for this age group.

Ideal For

Parents or individuals seeking a clean, friendly community center for adult lap swimming (if tolerant of cold water) or gym use.

Families with older children/teens who prioritize a positive community atmosphere and can withstand cooler pool temperatures.

💡Pro Tips from Reviews

→If planning to swim, especially with children, be prepared for cold water temperatures (around 78°F) despite official temperature claims.
→For lap swimmers, weekday mornings and times before noon generally offer uncrowded lanes.
→Do not expect modern, recently renovated facilities; some areas like showers are dated but functional.

Things to Consider

⚠Pool water is consistently cold, reportedly feeling like 78 degrees Fahrenheit instead of the stated 84 degrees, due to an old, un-repaired heater (issue ongoing for at least 6 months).
⚠Facilities, particularly the showers, are 'showing their age' and could benefit from renovation.
⚠Showers are described as 'not very good' but 'usable'.

Price & Value

The center is described as 'priced right,' suggesting good value for its membership or usage fees given the clean facilities and friendly staff. However, the persistent cold pool issue might diminish the perceived value for families focused on warm water activities.

♿Accessibility & Special Needs

•No specific accessibility accommodations were mentioned in the reviews.

🍎Food & Drink Policy

•No information regarding food and drink policies was mentioned in the reviews.

🚗Parking Info

•No information regarding parking was mentioned in the reviews.

👥Crowd Levels

•Swim lanes are reported as 'not pretty full' during weekdays, especially before noon, indicating lower crowd levels during these times for swimming.

🛡️Safety Features

•The pool is described as 'clean,' implying good water quality and maintenance. Staff are praised for being 'on their game,' which might indirectly contribute to general safety and supervision.

⏰When to Avoid

• Families with toddlers or young children who require warm pool water for comfort, learning, or health reasons.
• Anyone expecting newly renovated, state-of-the-art facilities, especially in the changing rooms/showers.

Pricing/Package/Events

Events & Schedule

🛡️Safety Policy

• Indoor pool features an ADA lift.

Information extracted from official website • Last updated: Sep 30, 2025

What People Say

What's Great

Clean and well-maintained facilities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Friendly and helpful staff (mentioned in 7 reviews)

Recent Reviews

VB Local

2 months ago

This has what I need, but is definitely showing it's age. I have been using it for swimming laps lately. I haven't found any time during the week that swim lanes are pretty full. The showers aren't very good, but are usable. Several other rec centers have been renovated. I hope this one gets updated soon.

Jeanmarie Smith

a year ago

Pool is always cold ! Members have complained . They said it’s an old heater 6 months ago . Never fixing the temperature. It says 84 but it isn't , it’s freezing . Stop swimming at this rec center all the other rec center pools are 84 and it feels it ! I would go back there if the warmed the pool back up to the 84 temp , more like 78 degrees!

Carol Haffield

a year ago

What a fantastic find! The entire center from the staff to all of the facilities are great. If I lived here, this would be my "go to" place. Clean, helpful and friendly staff and priced right. The pool was clean, machines in gym were well maintained and helpful staff was available.

Lisa Bertini

a year ago

I just started swimming at the rec center in October and I visit twice a week at various times before noon. I have always experienced the friendliest staff and they are really on their game!! Also, the place is clean and the other swimmers are polite and friendly....I love this community!