Cathedral Oaks Athletic Club

We were in the market to join a club and took the time to check this one out. The young man who handles membership was lovely but that’s the way it should be. The problem was that it kind of ended there. On our tour, he pointed out the GM sitting in his office eating lunch for all to see. It’s pretty obvious that we were potential members but the GM didn’t lift a muscle to try and say hello to us. We passed his office no less than 4 times over the course of 45 minutes and he waved but we were obviously interrupting him while he was on his smartphone. When we returned and visited on our own with a pass they provided us, it was beyond relaxed, way too relaxed. We walked right past the front desk and nobody asked us a thing. While there, we talked to some members and their reviews were not exactly glowing. It seemed like everything was closed pretty early and inconsistent. Sorry but not worth our time. I realize an accident took place in the pool some years ago which should be one heck of a wake up call for things to be tight and better than anywhere else. There is new ownership and management now but just because the new owner has done some renovations is not enough. The GM needs some customer service training and if he won’t come out of his office that’s probably why the staff is so laid back and not engaged with the members.

I used to be a member of COAC but thank goodness I cancelled my membership before it changed to SWELL clubs. I used to love working out here at least 5 times a week and all of the staff was really friendly. I was thinking about rejoining, so lately I’ve been going as a guest with one of my friends and the staff has been very rude. For example, the room that they do classes in was empty so we were using that for our individual work out and they tried kicking us out at 7pm because they said they needed to clean it but the gym doesn’t even close until 9:30pm. I understand they need to clean the room but they could at least clean around us until we leave, then finish the rest. The staff always seems to have an attitude and they have made the club much more corprate rather than a family gym like before. I do however love the outside tent area. It’s not as crowded as the upstairs gym and I love the equipment out there. Overall, I am not going to be rejoining any time soon and I would not recommend anyone get a memership here right now.

About the Junior Tennis Program:
Is there a business manager or supervisor for the new head coach, Jake? Can anyone move his lazy bulky butt to help out his coaches during class? All parents are talking about this issue, and it really looks and feels awful when coach Peter (an excellent hardworking coach) has 6 to 9 kids on average all to himself. He handles it all right and the kids have fun, but it isn’t right or ethical. Coach Jake evades being present other than for hitting foam balls with a friend, chatting with the pool girls, or at the occasional brief meeting with a new parent (i.e. he could be setting a good example and making a difference coaching a kid or two at a time and give them some private attention). It’s a pity since he was recently hired to improve this program, among other things. He (and the club) is so lucky to be working with ethical and great coaches like Pete, Alexei, and Rick. Please remember this is not free either; there is a lot of money invested from parents and members, and this type of quality is not what’s highlighted when signing up. The club should be paying closer attention.

It’s hard to rate this club. I mean for starters, this is not exactly the crown gem area of Goleta. Dull, blah CA 1960s ranch houses. And there is no other game in town out there so from that perspective, it’s fabulous.
Pro’s:
1. Huge
2. Two pools. 80 is top temp of lap pool. Kid kid pool is disgustingly hot, 89. But that’s good for elderly and babies.
3. Full-​service café with good prices. Goleta health dept not unmitigated a****** like power-​hungry pinkos in SB. I despise local government here. Planning commission absolute TOP of my s*** list. Goleta not as plagued by this so their café not shut down.
4. Tennis.
5. Tons of kid programs. Tennis. Swimming. Fitness.
Con’s
1. Locker room pathetically dated.
2. Useless showers with no pressure.
3. Rocky sandy area around pool. Yuck. Need flip flops
4. Useless jets in jacuzzi
5. Closes too early
6. Needs a makeover
7. Not the fancy Pilates offerings and classes more limited
It’s a family club, shlumpy and a bit dumpy but nothing a few hundred grand wouldn’t fix.

I called requesting info. on family memberships and was offered a visitors pass. I excepted, as they were running a special of 40% off the initial membership fee (but it only lasted until the end of the month and it was nearing the end). So we went to pick up our passes and they weren’t left for us, as we were told they would be– and the person who handled that was out to lunch. I left a message for that person and was never called back. Then we were out of town so I called when I returned. I asked if I could use the passes and then make up my mind when our trial time was up (even though their deal would have ended a few days prior). I thought this was only fair, due to their poor organization and lack of communication. I was told, no, sorry we can’t do that. So, I feel like it was a scam. They knew my pass wouldn’t expire until after their special was already up. I guess they didn’t really need our family’s membership?! Their loss!

When Jamie was mgr, this club rocked! We had lots of social events, she was known by all the members, there were plenty of cleaning crew, and the pools were clean and appropriately heated. NOW that we have a new manager, who nobody even knows as he has no relationship with the members or social events, the cleaning staff has been cut way back. The outside locker room is always very dirty now, and the little pool is never 90 deg like it always used to be. THey are spending tons of money all the time on landscaping that was fine, huge pots we don’t need etc, instead of umbrellas by the pool, lifeguards, cleaning, etc. Now we have icky bright orange furniture and a remodeled clubhouse that no one needed. It would be nice if they would ask members a survey of priorities for this outlandish spending all the time. If it weren’t for the classes, most of the members would leave.

Have been a member for years, and have been very happy with it, but lately maintenance has been cut back.
If you’re thinking of joining — think again unless they decide to regularly clean the pool tiles between waterline & deck. (This goes for both pools!) There is dark crud on the tiles that never was there w. former maintenance régime. Bad enough you can write in it… really gross.

Been a memeber ever since I can remember! I love this place so much I come like 3 – 5 times a week to get a good work out in! The pools are great! Locker rooms are always clean, actually the place is always spotless! Friendly staff, great classes to take! My new fav is Zumba!!! So much fun! Great place for kids and adults!!! A+

This club has everything you need! A great staff, two large swimming pools, tons of tennis courts and a great gym! I always feel welcome and enjoy every minute of getting healthy!