Swimming pool opening?

anniehoo

Got a flyer on my windscreen today for kids swimming classes starting in July in UCD. Does anyone know when the exact opening date is and prices yet?

WeeBushy

Emailed them this morning and got this reply:

Dear WeeBushy,

The new UCD Sport & Fitness facility will be opening its doors from Monday June 25th.

Currently registered students at UCD will have free access to the facility between now and the start of term in September. From September, access to the pool will be at an upfront rate of €100 for the year for unlimited usage, or €4 pas-as-you go.

I hope that this answered your query. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Le gach deá-ghuí,
...

Dr Strange

WeeBushy wrote: »

Emailed them this morning and got this reply:

Would you know who to contact about staff rates, by any chance?

Or would it be better to take out membership as an alumni? Whatever is cheaper.

Also, as I am only interested in the pool, what are the opening times for the pool? Thanks!

WeeBushy

Preusse wrote: »

Would you know who to contact about staff rates, by any chance?

Or would it be better to take out membership as an alumni? Whatever is cheaper.

Also, as I am only interested in the pool, what are the opening times for the pool? Thanks!

Dunno the answers to any of those, except from that email you can join just the pool, so that would probably be the cheapest for you. I emailed fitness@ucd.ie and they got back to me pretty quickly.

Chucky the tree

€100 for the year? I thought it was free all the time.

WeeBushy

Chucky the tree wrote: »

€100 for the year? I thought it was free all the time.

The rest of the facilities are but the pool is extra, as far as I can tell.

Liana*

I emailed them about the staff rates and was told it was €450 per year for staff with no pool only membership or pay as you go facility :mad:

WeeBushy

Liana* wrote: »

I emailed them about the staff rates and was told it was €450 per year for staff with no pool only membership or pay as you go facility :mad:

They said that you can't pay as you go for the pool

Liana*

WeeBushy wrote: »

They said that you can't pay as you go for the pool

This is the email:

"Unfortunately, no there is no pool only membership or pay as you go/drop in facility."

I take from that, that if you want to use the pool as Staff you have to pay €450 for the year. It's a pity as I don't have that money to spare and was looking forward to using the pool.

WeeBushy

Liana* wrote: »

This is the email:

"Unfortunately, no there is no pool only membership or pay as you go/drop in facility."

I take from that, that if you want to use the pool as Staff you have to pay €450 for the year. It's a pity as I don't have that money to spare and was looking forward to using the pool.

That sucks.

anniehoo

WeeBushy wrote: »

That sucks.

It more than sucks, im so annoyed over it. Students get it for next to nothing whereas staff have to fork out €450 with no option of swim only or pay as you go. Ridiculous.

WeeBushy

anniehoo wrote: »

It more than sucks, im so annoyed over it. Students get it for next to nothing whereas staff have to fork out €450 with no option of swim only or pay as you go. Ridiculous.

I'm not defending it, but I would imagine their reasoning is that students helped fund it through the student levy fee, so its only fair that it is 'free' for them. Staff didn't fund it, so why should they get it for free? Also, it's has to make money some way, and staff get paid while us students are poor.

anniehoo

WeeBushy wrote: »

I'm not defending it, but I would imagine their reasoning is that students helped fund it through the student levy fee, so its only fair that it is 'free' for them. Staff didn't fund it, so why should they get it for free? Also, it's has to make money some way, and staff get paid while us students are poor.

I dont expect to get it for free at all, but those prices are near enough to the National Aquatic Centre prices which i cant afford either. A swim only membership should be offered in fairness.

WeeBushy

anniehoo wrote: »

I dont expect to get it for free at all, but those prices are near enough to the National Aquatic Centre prices which i cant afford either. A swim only membership should be offered in fairness.

Well again from their point of view, their facilities aren't far of NAQ standards so a similar price would be reasonable. Completely agree a swim only membership should be offered, that's pretty poor.

dajaffa

Graduate price list (should be) attached - I'm pretty unimpressed that the graduates who contributed (I paid 4 years of contributions) have to pay more than staff who get a better discount. I've no issue with a staff discount, but there should be a better deal for those who paid a lot towards it when staff didn't financially contribute.

As for the €100 extra for the "private" changing rooms and sauna...

Dr Strange

As I'm an Alumni, I think I can say that my fees for my degree contributed over the years as well. So I am wondering what will happen to alumni, do they have their own rates or what?

Bobby42

Anyone reckon they'll do adult swimming lessons?

gerardduff

I mailed fitness@ucd.ie today.

The opening hours will be 6am - 11pm. I presume that's year round.
There is no off-peak rate for staff...:rolleyes:

They must be expecting a scrum at six am.

There is an off-peak rate for the general public which I believe is more than the E450/year staff rate.

Off-peak is defined as 9am - 4pm.

Staff can avail of a direct debit option which works out E90 more over the year (E540).

I've attached some more info from a brochure they sent...this is the only other tariff info I have.

Raphael

Might as well complete the set:

Staff Rates
Graduate Rates
Private Rates

Edit:dajaffa, what are all the asterisks about in the graduate rates?

dajaffa

Raphael wrote: »

Edit:dajaffa, what are all the asterisks about in the graduate rates?

Paying supplements for the private changing room and sauna and that a family is 2+2 etc

Victoria.

What's this about a private sauna? Are the students not allowed in the sauna at all?

RMD

Although the rates are quite expensive it's a relatively small gym since straight away it has a "membership" of 24,000 students. If fair rates were offered for alumni and staff this could easily rise to 30,000+ "members". The simple fact is there isn't anywhere near sufficient space for that level of use. Obviously each student will not use it, but there will be a fairly large contingent of the "a la carte" gym user who has no idea what they're doing so just spends 20-30 minutes doing light cardio, 10-20 minutes on machines and leave. These people will only use it because it is "free" (Subsidised by a raise in contribution fee I'm sure).

Honestly as a student I'd much prefer to see no rise in contribution fee and instead a membership fee charged for students, it will stop people who have no interest in consistent genuine use popping in and getting in the way. I have no problem with people who would use it regularly, eat well and actually live a healthy lifestyle, but I despise the "a la carte" users who do next nothing and then eat shíte / drink their bodyweight in units because "they go to the gym".

Mardy Bum

RMD wrote: »

Although the rates are quite expensive it's a relatively small gym since straight away it has a "membership" of 24,000 students. If fair rates were offered for alumni and staff this could easily rise to 30,000+ "members". The simple fact is there isn't anywhere near sufficient space for that level of use. Obviously each student will not use it, but there will be a fairly large contingent of the "a la carte" gym user who has no idea what they're doing so just spends 20-30 minutes doing light cardio, 10-20 minutes on machines and leave. These people will only use it because it is "free" (Subsidised by a raise in contribution fee I'm sure).

Honestly as a student I'd much prefer to see no rise in contribution fee and instead a membership fee charged for students, it will stop people who have no interest in consistent genuine use popping in and getting in the way. I have no problem with people who would use it regularly, eat well and actually live a healthy lifestyle, but I despise the "a la carte" users who do next nothing and then eat shíte / drink their bodyweight in units because "they go to the gym".

I have no idea how the college managed to convince students to vote yes to pay for a building 90% will never get to use and for those that do to pay a massive contribution again. Celtic Tiger I suppose.

Stark

The recession must be over judging by those prices.

convert

Those prices are absolutely exorbitant, but what more can you expect from UCD? :rolleyes:

Just took a look at the membership rates for TCD. Far more realistic. http://www.tcd.ie/Sport/membership/

errlloyd

convert wrote: »

Those prices are absolutely exorbitant, but what more can you expect from UCD? :rolleyes:

Just took a look at the membership rates for TCD. Far more realistic. http://www.tcd.ie/Sport/membership/

Weird, I looked at those TCD ones last summer they were like 800 euro, a mate of mine in TCD and I used to joke about how ridiculous they were.

Tbh I don't really see why people are annoyed its an expensive (public) gym, there are a good few very good value gyms around UCD at the moment. This was one built for students of UCD, the high cost might help supplement a college that needs funding.

TimeToShine

So is the gym free for continuing students or do we have to pay 450e?

Mushy

Its 'free' in the sense that the reg fee pays towards it AFAIK. Also, now that its finished, will they still be seeking the student contribution, or will that be merged into the reg fee? I'm a graduate so doesn't affect me, just want to know.

small wet rubber ducky

WeeBushy wrote: »

Emailed them this morning and got this reply:

Dear WeeBushy,

The new UCD Sport & Fitness facility will be opening its doors from Monday June 25th.

Currently registered students at UCD will have free access to the facility between now and the start of term in September. From September, access to the pool will be at an upfront rate of €100 for the year for unlimited usage, or €4 pas-as-you go.

I hope that this answered your query. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Le gach deá-ghuí,
...

Few people I know got that email as well, but when I went in to ask they said it's not free. I rang them and asked about it after confirming that the email DID say it would be free and they said that no, definitely it is not supposed to be free over the summer. It's €4 pay as you and €100 for the year.

Victoria. wrote: »

What's this about a private sauna? Are the students not allowed in the sauna at all?

If you pay in to the pool area (€4 or €100 once off) students have access to the sauna.

Graduates can pay the graduate plus rate (€725) and get access to the private changing rooms - ie male and female, the standard ones are going to be cubicled unisex, and apparently the showers will be cubicled so you can shower properly... All changing rooms will have lockers, so if you want to gym and swim, you go down to the wet changing room and leave your stuff there and head upstairs to the gym, then back downstairs for your swim...

All a bit complicated. I seriously doubt the private and staff/alumni uptake will be high, those prices will have to come down. In fact, people would be mad to pay those prices. Sure if nobody pays they'll HAVE to reduce the membership to get people to join. If they made it €200 for staff and €175 for alumni, I'd say they'd get way more than double the people joining than will join at the current costs, but it wouldn't be that crowded cos most people who join don't go to the gym anyway so... :P

KillerToaster

UCD Sport & Fitness would like to apologise for an error with information provided. We would like to clarify that UCD students have access to the pool for €4 per session, or they can pay €100 for student membership for the academic year. They also have free access to the gym, except between the hours of 6.15pm and 8.15pm Monday through Thursday during term time, when access is restricted to members only.

This just got sent to me.

Johnny86

Bit of info for Alumni's, there is an open day on Sunday 24th June.

http://www.ucd.ie/alumni/

Seems like decent discounts available on memberships on the day (up to 32% apparently) and a tour of the place.

Ya have to register first though.

DL Saint

Sorry, I have read through this thread but I am still confused.
Do UCD Students have free access to the Gym from opening day and through the academic year? If so do we use our U-card to access it?

alph

Read through the thread but im still a bit unclear on a couple of things.

I've just finished my final year and graduate in September. Am I still considered a student?

If I just want to use the gym and not the pool do I have to pay in ?

I'd appreciate if somebody could answer the above.

WeeBushy

alph wrote: »

Read through the thread but im still a bit unclear on a couple of things.

I've just finished my final year and graduate in September. Am I still considered a student?

If I just want to use the gym and not the pool do I have to pay in ?

I'd appreciate if somebody could answer the above.

You are still a student so can use the gym until you graduate (I have been doing this) for free. You just have to fill out a membership form the first time you go.

You can use the pool as well if you want but have to pay for it, €4 payg. I presume students who are about to leave can't pay €100 for a years membership to the pool as they will be graduating but I haven't asked.

Raphael

You can pay 100 quid, but it'll only do you until your student card expires.

valerie

WeeBushy wrote: »

I'm not defending it, but I would imagine their reasoning is that students helped fund it through the student levy fee, so its only fair that it is 'free' for them. Staff didn't fund it, so why should they get it for free? Also, it's has to make money some way, and staff get paid while us students are poor.

I paid the bloody levy fee for years in college and the pool has only just been finished. Alumni membership cost is ridiculously steep.

Dr Strange

What gets me at the moment is that some people just can't adhere to lane ettiquette. It even says so on all the signs, go clockwise in a lane. But no, there are some who don't know what clockwise is and go counter-clockwise, or even just up and down one side of the lane. /rant

WeeBushy

valerie wrote: »

I paid the bloody levy fee for years in college and the pool has only just been finished. Alumni membership cost is ridiculously steep.

€46/month for those facilities is far from steep. For what's on offer its a great deal in fact. And I say that as someone whose in the same position as you. I paid the student levy for 6 years, only for it to be finished the summer I'm leaving. But that's development for you.

WeeBushy

Preusse wrote: »

What gets me at the moment is that some people just can't adhere to lane ettiquette. It even says so on all the signs, go clockwise in a lane. But no, there are some who don't know what clockwise is and go counter-clockwise, or even just up and down one side of the lane. /rant

Bugs me so much too. Nothing worse than whacking your hand off of somebody swimming the opposite direction to you on the wrong side of the lane. I must say though that I haven't noticed it as being a problem in UCD, but I have only been in the morning when I have a choice of empty lanes to choose from.

Dr Strange

WeeBushy wrote: »

Bugs me so much too. Nothing worse than whacking your hand off of somebody swimming the opposite direction to you on the wrong side of the lane. I must say though that I haven't noticed it as being a problem in UCD, but I have only been in the morning when I have a choice of empty lanes to choose from.

Although I noticed that even when going clockwise. The whacking I mean, even if you try to stay out of the other's way it sometimes seems they push over towards the middle of the lane. Yes, the mornings are OK but even at such an early time there are people who do not change to the clockwise fashion when someone enters "their" lane. The fast people also stay quite towards the last couple of lanes (higher numbered lanes) leaving the first lanes (3 and 4 etc) for slow swimmers which is good as these are alos the lanes closer to the steps. I am fairly slow but have to get my 1 hour in every morning for health issues. So it wouldn't be me barging into someone but I expect the same courtesy in return.

WeeBushy

Preusse wrote: »

Although I noticed that even when going clockwise. The whacking I mean, even if you try to stay out of the other's way it sometimes seems they push over towards the middle of the lane. Yes, the mornings are OK but even at such an early time there are people who do not change to the clockwise fashion when someone enters "their" lane. The fast people also stay quite towards the last couple of lanes (higher numbered lanes) leaving the first lanes (3 and 4 etc) for slow swimmers which is good as these are alos the lanes closer to the steps. I am fairly slow but have to get my 1 hour in every morning for health issues. So it wouldn't be me barging into someone but I expect the same courtesy in return.

At least if people are swimming the correct way you only have to look out for those swimming in your lane rather than the one beside you as well. Although its not as much of a problem in UCD compared to other pools as they have the big lane dividers rather than a rope with a couple of buoys. But I agree with you.

I hope that when college starts back they mark out slower to faster lanes. Its annoying for faster swimmers having someone slowing you down, and I would imagine its equally annoying for slower swimmers having someone swimming up your ass (excuse me ).

Great facility for people in UCD - swimming is a fantastic form of exercise for people of all fitness levels imo

dyl10

errlloyd wrote: »

This was one built for by students of UCD, the high cost might help supplement a college that needs funding.

Fixed that for you.

Dr Strange

WeeBushy wrote: »

At least if people are swimming the correct way you only have to look out for those swimming in your lane rather than the one beside you as well. Although its not as much of a problem in UCD compared to other pools as they have the big lane dividers rather than a rope with a couple of buoys. But I agree with you.

I hope that when college starts back they mark out slower to faster lanes. Its annoying for faster swimmers having someone slowing you down, and I would imagine its equally annoying for slower swimmers having someone swimming up your ass (excuse me ).

Great facility for people in UCD - swimming is a fantastic form of exercise for people of all fitness levels imo

Yes, it would be great to have dedicated fast and slow lanes once the term starts. I must say, today was much better, all the people I met in "my" usual lane were extremely accommodating and friendly. No problems whatsoever. Makes it really enjoyable.

WeeBushy

dyl10 wrote: »

Fixed that for you.

In part by.

SirBorbey

Hello Guys could anyone pls be kind enough to tell me what part of Dublin these areas are (i.e North, South, North Co. e.t.c.) - Milltown, Dundrum and Clonskeagh.

WeeBushy

SirBorbey wrote: »

Hello Guys could anyone pls be kind enough to tell me what part of Dublin these areas are (i.e North, South, North Co. e.t.c.) - Milltown, Dundrum and Clonskeagh.

They are all in south Dublin, beside or near UCD. Google Maps is your friend btw

TimeToShine

SirBorbey wrote: »

Hello Guys could anyone pls be kind enough to tell me what part of Dublin these areas are (i.e North, South, North Co. e.t.c.) - Milltown, Dundrum and Clonskeagh.

Clonskeagh is closest to UCD by a good bit, Dundrum and milltown are farther out, you could cycle it no problem though.

SirBorbey

Thank you very much guys, cheers. Trying to source for a property on Daft.ie (never being to Ireland) all it says about areas of properties are North , South e.t.c. given what you've just mentioned i guess i'l be safe looking for properties in the south of dublin now? thanks guys.

WeeBushy

SirBorbey wrote: »

Thank you very much guys, cheers. Trying to source for a property on Daft.ie (never being to Ireland) all it says about areas of properties are North , South e.t.c. given what you've just mentioned i guess i'l be safe looking for properties in the south of dublin now? thanks guys.

The easiest thing to do is use the advanced search function on daft.ie.There is an option to search for properties near the university of your choice, so you can select UCD and it will come back with properties near UCD, or on transport lines to UCD, whichever option you chose. G'luck with the search.

Dr Strange

Preusse wrote: »

Yes, it would be great to have dedicated fast and slow lanes once the term starts. I must say, today was much better, all the people I met in "my" usual lane were extremely accommodating and friendly. No problems whatsoever. Makes it really enjoyable.

Actually, I noticed now that there are dedicated lanes: lane 3 is a slow lane, lane 4 a medium lane and the rest are fast lanes. Hope they are going to enforce this soon as I noticed fast people in the slow lane and slow people had to go into fast lanes etc. Can be quite uncomfortable for slow swimmers to be pushed so far away from the ladders or into lanes which may be taken over by fast swimmers etc. At the moment the majority of lanes are fast lanes so there shouldn't be any reason for fast swimmers taking up the slow lane when all other fast lanes are available. And again, it's clockwise in the lane, not forth and back on one side or counterclockwise.

steddyeddy

Can non ucd members use the gym if they pay in?