Victoria Park Leisure Centre Manners Road, Ilkeston DE7 8AT

"8 of us arrived today, there were 3 adults, 3 children ( one of them being severly disabled) and 2 under 5. We arrived around 1:20pm thinking we had a booking for 1:30pm turns out I'd booked the wrong day and the booking was for yesterday (14.01.23). When speaking to Alex who was very kind and accommodating told us the only thing they could do so we didn't lose our money was to change the booking for another day but we were feeling quite anxious because my brother (whose got disabilities) would have thrown a very large meltdown if we had tried to take him back out the swimming baths. Which of course the staff didn't have to help us as it was our fault. But Alex was so kind and offered us 15 minutes in the splash pool which we took without hesitation. So as we were just about to go get changed she then said there was a session in the splash pool until 2 so would we mind going in to the main pool instead which of course we said that was no problem. As we were getting in to the main pool she stopped me and said she would allow us 10 minutes in the splash pool at 2 so the kids could use the slide. Other than the main pool being a bit on the cold side we had a really good time without any major meltdowns. So we would like to say thank you to Alex & the team for being so kind & accommodating, you really saved us a lot of stress and upset. Would 100% recommend."

"The water in the pool is very cold, the showers are often overcrowded and busy. Swimming lasts not 45, but 30 minutes. the changing rooms are also full. Hair dryers are paid and limited in time."

"My husband and I usually love bringing out little girl to the parent and baby sensory sessions, which are held in the teaching pool. However, more recently, our experience seems to have gone downhill. The pool seems colder each time we visit; I heard lots of other parents mention this during our session on 27/11/22; it felt uncomfortable for us adults, never mind the little ones! The sessions seems to start later each week; people are often queueing up at the entrance gate of the teaching pool at 13:00, yet staff are still setting up at this time, often taking away the first few minutes of the session. Perhaps this is why the pool is cold as it isn’t heated up in advance? Unfortunately the showers have also been cold on our last couple of visits; not ideal at any time, but especially as the weather is turning colder. Facilities in the changing village overall need updating, e.g. hooks/locks on doors. Our daughter really enjoys the sensory sessions so it would be such a shame, but we are thinking of finding another leisure centre to visit. I messaged the centre to share my feedback, however never received a response which makes us feel undervalued."

"Great pool, one of the few in my area still operating a flume, which is a great bonus. Sessions are a little on the short side as I don't think you really get into your stride until just before you leave! But still, the kids enjoyed it, the speed gun showing your slide time is a lovely challenge for the kids. The only reason I've knocked a star off is the lockers. A Non refundable 20p? Who does that? Especially when an odd few don't work and if you select one of these you're missing out on swimming time just messing around trying to find more change or walking around to reception in bare feet and a swimsuit to get more."