Yeah, so I’m biased. As a member, I have a certain psychological investment in talking up this place.(Of course, one could argue that this is balanced by a perverse motivation to avoid drawing a crowd such that I’m ensured easy access to the equipment.) ;-) I’d give the place 5-stars, if it had a pool … and maybe better curb appeal … and probably slightly longer hours on Saturday afternoons. That said, my wife is a big fan of the pool at the O’Fallon facility, which is accessible through some kind of sharing arrangement(I must admit that I don’t know the conditions and costs of the various sharing arrangements that are available). As for curb appeal — I didn’t join the Y to go to a chic work out spa. I’m a value-oriented shopper(e.g. between a Hilton and a Hampton, even on the company dime, I’d still take the Hampton; yes, I will shop at Walmart; and, I don’t mind McDonalds; etc.) The equipment is new, in good shape, and clean. There is a good selection. My wife is a big fan of the spinning classes. I thought someone told me(not a staff member), that this ‘satellite’ facility was built with the intent of being replaced by a bigger, more conventional facility … but as the surrounding housing developments sputtered to a stop a few years ago, the membership base stalled out, and so we have this … satellite facility. It works for me and my family. The staff are great! Very friendly. Real. Good people. I have not sought out their trainer staff, for myself, and cannot speak to that offering. But, everyone else is great! For the recreational sports teams — my 6-yr old daughter played basketball this winter and loved it! I loved the casual, but constructive nature of the program at that level. They push a lot of teams through an active schedule, and it seems to run smoothly. The pricing is good. The overall experience is solid. As for the hours. Yeah, this location closes at 2 pm, or something like that, on Saturdays(and I believe Sundays). That seems a bit short, but then, I can’t say that I’ve ever hit 4 pm on a Sat and said, «Holy crap! I’m Jonesing for a treadmill. How do I now placate this unrequited desire?!» Instead I’m usually scrapping off mud from working in the yard(yes, I grow mud in my yard … okay, you got me. yes, it’s Missouri … I grow clay), or heading out to do something with the kiddies, or something household related … «me» time left me about 10 hours before that 2 o’clock ‘witching’ hour. So, that’s a long-winded way of saying, m’eh, 2 pm close is really not a big deal for me.
