Bow Creek Rec Center is alright, they have a nice pool, a game room with mediocre games, a pretty good basketball court, (too bad its always filled), and an outstanding gym. I felt like they gave Bow Creek so much space, but they do so little with that space. I want more than just some standard things I can get at the YMCA.

I dont feel the hours are as convenient as Id l8ke . Opening @11 on Sundays is pretty late . Also you have to pay extra for some activities. Complimentary coffee would be nice .

Really enjoy coming to this rev center gym. The machines are clean and well maintained. The only reason I am giving 4 stars is because I have been a few times and there are kids in the gym taking up the machines with what seems like no adult supervision.

Pros: Very clean, friendly staff, relatively cheap and no contractCons: I was very disappointed to realize after signing up that it lacks some very basic things that all gyms should have. No towels. No drying machine for swim suit/trunks. No soap or anything to wash with in the showers. Ive never in my life been to a gym that didnt have these basic amenities. I was absolutely baffled about that! Its pretty weird having to bring your own stuff in then walk out with a wet towel and swim trunks/suit (if you decide to go swimming). This stuff doesnt cost much to implement. Even if you have to raise the monthly subscription by a couple of bucks for everyone, it is well worth it! On top of it, you have to pay a quarter to use a locker...who carries quarters with them to the gym?? And if you go swim, what do you do with the key? Take it with you? Then you go back and want to shower, so you unlock your locker, but if you want to lock it again while you shower...yep, need another quarter! So inconvenient! Glad I only paid for one month, but I wont be coming back. I assume the other rec centers operate the same way, but Ive only been to this one and Princess Anne.

Very clean and well maintained. Plenty of exercise equipment.

The pool staff is outstanding!! Front desk could use some more customer service training..I stopped by the desk to ask a question about swim lessons, the ladies were having a conversation with a young man about something that didnt pertain to the recreation center. I stood for a few minutes thinking Id be acknowledged but I wasnt. I started to walk out but turned back around, refusing to be treated this way and asked do I need to sign in to get waited on....thats when and I how I got someones attention and my question was answered. The proper thing to say is I will be right with you instead of looking at me and continuing with their conversation that wasnt about a program or membership!!

Clean, good staff, and well equipped.

Great gym great price BUT. Hours need to be longer like in AM should open at 5 and same for Saturday so people can workout and go to work quick. I would love to see instructors led spinning classes and more. More people will come back if there is more to offer.

My daughter just recently completed her 2 week swim lessons at this center. On day 1 she was all tears and was scared to get in the water. By day 2 she was already swimming and by the time the classes were over she was in 10 feet, treading water with confidence, thanks to Michelle Walz. I cannot thank Michelle enough for what shes done for my daughter. She not only taught her how to swim but she helped her gain confidence. She also found a love for water that I didnt think was possible. She even mentioned wanting to possibly join a swim team in the future. Michelle took my daughter under her wing and 2 other older students and worked miracles with them. I highly recommend the swim program at Bow Creek, and especially Michelle to anyone looking to learn how to swim. Im now inspired to take classes myself!

Some of the staff there are very rude. They are overly strict on certain rules and make it very unpleasant to be there. The pool lacks so much compared to the other newer rec centers so we started to go to Williams farm or kempsville so my daughter can have a fun time. Everytime we go to bow creeks pool we just constantly get whistled at by the staff there for the dumbest reason . Most of the the time they are just rude about everything. Its a shame that I live down the street and cant enjoy my own rec center. Hopefully one day theyll learn how to better treat people especially people who pay to be there.

I love this facility. The weight room and equipment is always kept clean and tidy. The classes they offer are taught by fun upbeat instructors.

The facility is nice, but it is nothing without a pleasant and friendly staff to deal with. They need to seriously offer some retraining to their staff. I dont mind being told of a rule, but the attitude and body language is disgraceful. From the moment you enter the pool area, you know theyre coming after you to remind you of some rule. Instead of a relaxed place to have fun, its more like the Nazis watching over you. Im afraid if someone splashes hard they might be kicked out. There are no smiles, no greetings, nothing.. Not worth paying the yearly membership for this crap. I was told I needed to be wearing a bath suit to go into the childs pool with my son. I told the guy I was not taking my son in the pool. He was just playing where fountains are.. We werent in the pool, yet the lifeguard continued to harass me about wearing a bathing suit. Seriously, you all are dealing with adults, not children. I need to wear a bathing suit to stand out of the pool?

My first impression pulling up was wow! It only got better as I went in and saw how clean, open and beautiful everything is. Great staff, everyone polite and everyone having good fun. Five stars!

I have had nothing but a rock star experience at Bow Creek. I have used every aspect of the facility and have had interaction with quite a few of the staff and everyone was world-class.It is one of the best kept secrets in Virginia Beach! I was able to train for and complete my first 1/2 Ironman triathlon using Bow Creek as my main training facility.Kudos for putting such a great, modern facility together.

I really like the Rec center. Ive been using the facility since January. Its been an inspiration itself to keep me on track with working out and getting healthier. I also just started taking a yoga class with Eddy and an thoroughly enjoying it. I have not used the pool yet, but intend to soon.

Absolutely beautiful center. The kids had a blast at the pool and loved the game room. I, however, did not enjoy all of the ridiculous rules and was BLOWN AWAY by how rude everyone there was, the staff especially. Numerous employees said I couldnt stand or sit in areas and watch my family in the pool. For being a community center, nobody wants to even have any contact with other humans, not even polite conversation such as Hello, how are you? I took a walk around the water and sat in the car until the rest of my family was ready to leave. There arent enough places to sit inside the facility, unless youd like to sit in a glass box like a puppy at a pet store, and they definitely need benches out by the water. The kids had a wonderful time, but I couldnt wait to leave. Im glad we only got a day pass and not a membership. I was super disappointed, especially since I was really excited to see the new facility. I never write reviews on things but if nobody says anything then the facility cant make improvements.

The closing times are completely ridiculous, almost all gyms stay open later. Plus they close at random times and are overly generous with holidays. I pay a subscription to your gym, every other business that works this way is available for their customers. These items need to be fixed as a first priority to be competitive with even the cheapest private gyms.

The Bow Creek recreation center features a kiddy pool, and a lap pool with a water slide, and a basketball court on the first floor. The free weights and exercise equipment is on the second floor and has elevators for accessibility. The gym area is clean and has plenty of equipment for you to chose from even when there is a crowd.

You cant be in the pool room with your kids if youre not swimming. Kids cant go down the slide unless they can swim even with a life jacket. You cant be in the gym to watch your kids without athletic shoes. Kids cant use the kickboards. There is one ball and one goal in the pool and very few pool toys. It costs a quarter to use a locker. All in all, a very lukewarm experience for three times the price of our last rec center.

I agree with Anthony. Christine is a very rude staff member. I have NEVER been asked to leave the weight room at Kempsville. I wanted SO badly to give 5 stars to the swim staff & front desk, but unfortunately this ruined it for me.

Great place to work out, there’s enough machines for everyone to share and it is very welcoming of all ages to excercise (plus so affordable for high school, college, and any low income residents!). The only thing I would complain about is the scent of the spray used to clean machines after use and the high temperature in the room. As a person who has asthma, both are very easily irritating and it becomes frustrating to work out when my throat closes up from the mugginess and the perfumage. Overall though, it is a great place.

Great facility. New, clean and enjoyable for kids to go and possible hang out. Wonderful for families to come together and enjoy the pool, workout or just some one on onebasketball. Price is right. For a family of 6 you looking at around 230.00 for the entire year for membership.

Ive been here for 3 months and its absolutely wonderful. The staff is attentive and polite. The faculty is nice and clean.

Inexpensive but nice.

I came to swim for the first time today and as soon as I got out of the shower and made my way to the pool, it was being cleared due to thunder. I got my things and sat outside the pool at about 2:50 pm under the advisement the pool would be open in 30 minutes. I sat and waited and looked around for any communication about when it would open, knowing that it could extend in case there was another bout of thunder. I waited 50 minutes with not one piece of communication and finally went to the front desk and asked if she knew when it would open, she advised no, that its from the last sound of thunder I asked if she knew when that occurred and she said no I then asked if she could find out and she picks up her radio and is advised of 4:00 if nothing else was heard. Please take a moment and create a better system of communication so people are not left wondering and having to keep checking. A simple clock that can be moved to express the next approx opening would be perfect. We pay a great deal of tax money and this is a small thing to support good customer service.

Great rec center. Nice pool, workout facilities and kids area. Clean and has a courteous staff.

I think this place is awesome the staff their r so nice it warms peoples hearts

The temperature in the cardio/weights room is still way too hot even after friendly emails to and from the building manager. Also the pool staff could be trained on how to pleasantly enforce rules. Makes me wonder if they are being mistreated by their superiors.

Nice and well maintained!

The new rec center is beautiful UT my issue is with the severe last known of handicapped accessible parking. The very small handful of spaces near the main entrance is not NEARLY enough for the population the center serves. When I was dropping my son off for camp in the morning, the staff told me I could just park in the no parking zone by the front door. I did that one but the nasty stares and comments I got werent worth it. Even the staff tells me that people complain about it ALL THE TIME. Why has this issue not been addressed by the City??

Well, for one thing I get to get my work out on and not far from my house and the employees and trainers are very professional and nice and that makes a very nice environment Im very pleased and give it too thumbs up.

Location, newness, great facilities, nice staff, value, serene surroundings golf course, no busy streets

Nice, clean, lots of pools

Although they changed the schedule, many staff dont obey the schedule that said Open gym but no full court game and let a group of people occupy half of the court.Only 1/4 of the pool is available for adults to swim. The fitness room is too hot but their machines are new, so its kinda ok. Also, I dont think the constructor did a good job on the spacing of this rec center.

Uh... Im not sure if this bird is okay or not, water on the surface looks possibly frozen. Im submitting this picture in case the bird needs help, not to rate the rec center.

Very nice facility, great staff the only thing missing is a indoor track.

I be great. I work out there​ but other stuff is good too.

It is really fun to go to on the weekends to work out, play basketball, play video games and other types of games, and swim but I think there needs to add things there

Nice facility. Nice weight room.

It is alot better than the previous gym...but the weight room could have been larger. I here about the staff but have not had any issues of my own. I think for the most part the comunity center meets my expectations. I mean what do you exspect, a five star quality facility from the city...only in ritzy areas maybe...done

Great place for my son to workout. Great people

Great public showers after a long day of kayaking. Thnx

Love using the facility ; staff and personnel are courteous, the center is immaculate.

Great facility and staff! Very kid friendly!

My children wanted to swim on a Thursday afternoon and the local high school HAD to have a swim meet. We came to visit for a few days and their little hearts were broken. I was born & raised here and I was appalled at how a local school has so much authority over their members. We came back the following night swam a whole 30 minutes, was charged $20. My grandma brought us and they took advantage of a senior citizen. Before my rant is over, the staff needs to stick those whistles where the sun dont shine. They are RUDE, never smile and the facility doesnt have adequate seating around the pool for people to capture videos, pictures of their loved ones. This place will always be home, but you cant run a recreational center like boot camp..

Called today to make a Kidz Quest payment...was told I cant because its after 4:30...and they close at 5. Girl was blunt and rude about it. Super inconvenient for working parents. Not ideal customer service to me...this is coming from someone who worked for VB parks and rec at a different rec center for 6 years.

Nice place to go. Love it!

Awsome time everytime

Beautiful new facility! Huge asset for the community.

Love it! Clean facility and equipment and friendly staff.

The best place to workout in virginia beach .

Pool staff is super rude!

I Went To Rec Center With Devin & Morrigan Twice In A Row That Means I Have A Lot Of Work To Do With Swimming And Workouts Before I Go Spin The Big Wheel

Great place to get a work out!

Awesome place to workout!

Always friendly and helpful

What is this about?

5 star

Not helpful

Excellent facility, great staff

Great group fitness classes!

Love this place

I gave this place 3 stars because the facility itself is very nice and clean, but the front desk staff is terribly unfriendly every time I go in. I much prefer Williams Farm, because the staff there is always waiting with a smile and a hello.

Great place

Has everything most people would need at a gym

Good place, but be carefull, watch your belongings

Great pool and slides for the younger ones

Such a nice workout place

Awesome place to workout and have fun.

I only go over there for the pool.

Ugh I Missed Swimming >:(

Great