BCP Leisure Poole Dolphin Leisure Centre

Fantastic experience: I swim here regularily, great place, decent gym, staff friendly and helpful.

Fantastic experience: We were having difficulty with the app so I rang the Dolphin leisure centre this morning 2/2/2025, I spoke to a young man called Leon and explained the problem, he said he'd be there till 5pm if we wanted to call in and he'd help me with it, Leon was very patient and helpful he showed us round the premises and even helped my partner set up the app on her phone, and helped her book her first few sessions, this young man is a credit to the BCP leisure group, and they need a few more like him, best of luck Leon keep up the good work, Mike Freeman and Maggie Plateroti

Negative experience: Today, when I took my child to swimming lessons, I stopped by the front desk to ask about the two missed classes during Christmas break, and what should be done about it. There was a female employee with brunette hair, graying hairs and wearing black glasses sitting at the front desk. She said rudely, "Didn't I tell you before?" I was frightened by her abruptly unreasonable tone and said, "My child hasn't come to class for two weeks since Christmas. Today is the first time I'm asking you!" I think many of the children's parents are asking the same question. She must have mistaken me for one of the parents who resembles me, so I tried to sympathise. But when I took my child in to change clothes, I found that I brought my goggles (adult) ones instead of my child's. I was worried that they were not suitable for my child, so I went to the front desk again to ask the employee if I could borrow their spares children's swimming goggles and return them after the lesson. Because there were one or two times before, I forgot to bring my child's swimming goggles and their employees were very friendly and provided help. But this time I got her callous response: "No." Her malicious expression on her face made me terrified. Why does the staffs' and teachers' kind and compassionate service need to be ruined by one bad apple? Or maybe she just showed a different service attitude to Asian faces like me. In today's world, she still sticks to old ideas of racial discrimination. I am really ashamed of her behavior. The front desk is a job that directly interacts with guests. Her behavior is representative of the company. She is really not suitable for this job and she is also unable to be responsible for it either.

Positive experience: Not a bad 25m swimming pool + a smaller boom pool and diving pool. The water temp is slightly on the chilly side, but that keeps you moving! Paid car park. Mixed changing is warm and clean although there is a relatively limited number of showers. Staff are friendly and helpful.

Negative experience: Reception staff are lacking enthusiasm. Someone not sure what his job was. Swan’ed around like he owned the place possibly a manager or something followed me into the gym for a bit of a stare then shortly after the changing rooms to continue flesh gazing. Not hugely professional. Gyms adequate for a workout nothing special. General facilities need some TLC but useable. Some members of staff are decent unfortunately for these individuals they are surrounded by a bunch of incompetent co workers. Pool could be nice if they removed the divider. I quite like the temperature other’s not so much each to their own on that one. Parking is chargeable however Poole park is free after 10:00am for a couple of hours, provided a space is available. Less likely nowadays as 30 spaces have been turned into a handful of disabled parking spots, which are pretty much always empty as very few disabled people seem to be walking from Poole Park to go shopping in town centre absolutely Ludacris waste of money. Could have just painted line’s on the floor. But no got to waste taxpayer money on something impractical & not to be used that infringes the masses, just so the council can spend their budget, manly done to force more people into parting with their cash elsewhere. Bpc at its finest.

Positive experience: The gym is alright, very plain and dull now, the member changing room is cramped, showers needs a renovation or at least new showers and a industrial clean. Staff members in the men's seems pretty agrivated by BCPs management. I love the sauna but I know you have to wait till 6 as its adjacent to the pool with kids swimming lessons. I understand the reasoning but can't they engineer a translucent barrier between the two? It doesn't feel like a great deal of love has gone into anything beyond it all doing the basics, it's clear they care more about saving money then members experience. This really isn't up to standard if you're paying anything more than £30 if you can go elsewhere in my opinion.

Negative experience: Gym is small but has all machines needed. Downside is the Pool has a weird smell in one area (really offputting when you are having a swim) smells like sewage.

Negative experience: Really hard to find this centre in the everyone active app or on the website if I search on the list of the centres. The booking is not clear where to find in the app. The navigation is complicated and the whole user experience is awful. It should be much simple and should focus on the timetables and booking.

Positive experience: Lovely staff , cold pool

Negative experience: After having to cancel sessions for my son who had broken his arm in an accident, and was charged for diving lessons which he could not complete even with a doctor's note, to have an email to say I will be entitled to a refund to calling up and then be given the 'Sorry We can't issue one after all'. Unhappy Customer.

Negative experience: Parking costs in addition to gym membership makes this a very expensive exercise. The membership team are slow to respond to enquiries- am still waiting!

Negative experience: I am a new member here. The gym is very small and inadequate. They need to make changes in this regard. The pool is nice but the water was cold. They should not make the water cold in this weather.

Positive experience: Cost of swim as a non-member was £6.54 plus non-refundable £2.40 car parking. Dated facilities, poor showers.

Positive experience: Conveniently located, welcoming gym. I take part in classes most lunch time and always leave feeling like I’ve had a good work out. I also enjoy the occasional swim and sauna on the weekend. The team are friendly and helpful. If you can cycle/walk in it’s perfect, but you do have to pay for parking.

Positive experience: Tidy, warm, clean facilities.

Positive experience: The place is really good as has a good atmosphere. It was never the case that all the gym machines were busy and people are waiting. The staff is also very helpful. It is neat, clean and well maintained.

Negative experience: I have been coming to the gym for a number of years now & have never complained. There is no air con in the members ladies changing room. So awful that you come out of cold shower & start sweating. I mentioned this to reception & the answer I got was that is just how it is !!!! Please every one active surely answer should be that you will get an engineer in to sort ....... Making coming to the gym an uncomfortable experience:(

Fantastic experience: I have been going to everyone active since last August twice a week. I done a sponsored swim today which was awesome and will be donating 2 charities which is the stroke unit at Bournemouth hospital and the RSPCA. I have to say the support from the staff has been absolutely amazing from day 1. They made me my own lane today beautiful support from the staff thankyou so much and I will be carrying on with my twice a week.

Negative experience: Lack of classes for people with day jobs. Short opening hours at weekends, 4 person sauna that even when booked can squeeze additional 4.

Fantastic experience: Me and my mommy me are doing gym well

Negative experience: Sorry to say this place is stinks!! It’s In desperate need of a good deep clean especially in the changing room area!! It’s really bad!! The floor and the changing rooms are really dirty, and the smell is awful

Positive experience: Staff were very helpful and friendly great swimming pool also a great diving board only have a sauna so no steam room good gym facilities swimming pool great make sure you book

Positive experience: Was in the area for a short break with my parents and my 5 year old daughter who loves going swimming so we decided to come for a swim here as we are Everyone Active members in our home area, plus my daughter has swimming lessons so is entitled to swim for free during public swimming sessions. Like most things post-Covid, you can't just turn up and swim, but need to book your session in advance but as an existing Everyone Active member, this was easy to do through their app. Not sure how you'd do this as a non- member. I was surprised to find it's more pricey for a swim than in our local pool in Hornchurch, which is a very new building and, therefore, has more modern facilities. Also not a fan of the boom which chops the main pool down in size, so it's no longer a full length. I understand the reasoning about creating an area for kids, but I think roping of the end of the pool would have been fine and I doubt it has resulted in the pool being used more for galas. As an older municipal pool, it does have a proper, separate, diving pool which you can use during public sessions, but those using it are expected to be able to swim an entire length of the pool unaided to jump off the boards. My daughter can float and swim unaided, but has not had the opportunity to do a full length of a pool yet (and would probably not want to due to getting bored), but she wanted to try the board as she saw others doing it. I wasn't aware of the rule and was confident in her ability to jump in and immediately come back up (trying to teach her to swim underwater is hindered by her super floatiness) and get to the side, plus I was going to go first and be in the water ready for her. Anyway, she jumped without fear, loved it and was fine, but I then realised the lifeguard had been calling me to ask if she could swim a full length or not - I was too busy watching and encouraging my daughter (ooops)! Changing rooms are okay, but split between members and public, with only 2 showers in the public section and they're both cold water only. We went into the public side, but went into the members side to shower as that had 4 showers with adjustable controls (got water) but the lockers on that side need you to bring your own padlock to use them, which seems a bit weird. I don't know if, by members, they mean people who pay a monthly fee for gym access or something, but I think it's ridiculous to segregate the changing areas and only allow people who pay more access to hot water in the showers. The toilets were also better on the member's side. All in all, this is a site that needs a good overhaul and investment to improve the changing rooms, with no segregation for members / public and more showers with hot water. And get rid of the boom! Finally, the car park is council run and you have to pay to park.

Fantastic experience: Aqua aerobics, great fun way to keep fit.

Negative experience: Looking for a local gym with pool, seeing the expensive membership fees I was expecting top facilities. Far from it, expensive parking, pool cold, showers cold & hardly working. Much better places for cheaper. Shame as staff were helpful and polite.

Fantastic experience: An absolute fantastic sports centre with the best best staff ever. Courteous, enthusiastic and very knowledgeable. Lisa is a fabulous asset to the centre as fitness manager and the new centre manager on it totally-well done guys.

Negative experience: In a question: How to get the least swimming enjoyment for your money? Come here. 1 hour > 6 GBP, and no free parking (meaning another 2.30 GBP). The water temperature is on the lower end of acceptable. The pool is large, dated, and whilst there isn't any special on offer, the arrangement is fine. The most child-unfriendly changing arrangement: Scolding hot button-operated showers (2x) for the whole pool next to the exit. Cubicles without showers (how to wash?). This is a clear case of no return to that place. Thanks.

Negative experience: They really need to sort out the poolside showers

Positive experience: Good pool but the mixed sex changing rooms aren't great

Positive experience: The standard of swimming lessons delivered is great, but unfortunately that’s where the positives end. Over the last couple of months, the management of this centre has gone downhill. More too often the gents toilets downstairs are out of order, the younger receptionists (except one) are mostly quite rude and seemingly uninterested in being there. Above the pool, the vents are full of huge mounds of dust, which drop into the pool. The viewing area for the pool is great, but is always really hot. Overall, the place is tired and is in desperate need of some money being spent on it to bring it up to the standards that reflect the charges they are making.

Negative experience: Dolphin Centre Parking. My daughter attends a 30 minute swimming lesson on a Saturday morning. Parking has cost £1.60 for an hour. So I was disgusted this morning to be charged £4.70 for parking with an uplift to 2 hours minimum. I hear there is a petition, however where please? Over the course of a month this is a substantial increase from £6.40 (+lesson charge) to £18.80 (+lesson charge), what moron thought that was acceptable??? Shame on you BCP Council

Negative experience: My girlfriend took a membership and paid a month upfront, then 2 days later had an outstanding payment for another 2 months which wasn’t noted anywhere at the time of signing the membership. When we came to the parking found out that it’s not for free even for gym members so we paid. Then walked into reception to find out that gym is closed but it wasn’t noted anywhere outside the parking so why did we pay for it if we can’t even use the gym? I tried to get by Buddy pass activated online just to find out that you need to pay £2 although it should be for free. All they could say in the reception was sorry. What a disappointment!!! Would never sign up with this gym and wouldn’t recommend it for anyone, absolute waste of time!

Negative experience: **EDIT 11/01/24 - the car park is now minimum 2 hours so that's £2.30 every week on top of your 30 min lesson price (£115 for the 50 weeks they teach)** I'd like to know why the pool is so cold!? My 5 year old swims on a Saturday in the boom pool and gets out blue. I have seen others kids get out crying because it is so cold . Changing rooms are cold aswell. I'm considering canceling and going elsewhere. The only plus is Hayley his instructor she is a diamond and the only one that actually cares.

Fantastic experience: Such friendly staff, especially the reception staff can't do enough for you. Nice pool, good value for money.

Negative experience: Do not take you child here for swimming lessons. The instructors are totally useless. Didn't get one with any understanding, compassion or idea what its like for a 6 yr old non swimmer. Cant even blame large classes. You have been warned.!!!!

Fantastic experience: Fantastic 25m swimming pool. Would have been great if the dive tank was open for some water polo drills. It is definitely worth installing the app for the company running the pool. Makes it super easy to book a lane. I think I missed the masters swim at 8pm and instead swam from 7-8pm in the public swim. Chatted to one of the masters swimmers though who was an ex water polo player. They mentioned there was a men’s team in Bournemouth but not a women’s team. Looking forward to being back here for a swim in the future and it would be great if a water polo club were to spring up in Poole.

Fantastic experience: Friendly and cordial staff Nice teachers Clean

Positive experience: Good gym equipment and friendly

Fantastic experience: Friendly place good fitness classes swim sauna

Positive experience: I v been there for a Diving course, meanwhile I was waiting I peeped at the gym from the glass and it looked not bad. At the poole warm and apparently clean.

Negative experience: Attempted to book swimming a handful of times but never able to due to the website. One the most user unfriendly sites I’ve used. Seems that’s the only way to book so unsure how this leisure centre is still going.

Fantastic experience: I have been going here since I was 2 month old xxx

Negative experience: So I was excited for my 6 year old to learn swimming and thought it be good here as it looked nice and cheaper than the one he was with. But it was a total nightmare. My son did not enjoy the swimming. The swimming instructor didn't communicate with him, and weren't really that bothered. My poor boy after 5 minutes sank straight in the water and it scared him. Came out crying and didn't want to go bk in. The instructor didn't realise he couldn't swim very well. It was awful. They didn't seem to care at all. They moved him from one group to the other... we didn't know what was going on. Unorganised and it was confusing for new starters. I wouldn't recommend swimming lessons here. Unless your kid is a confident swimmer then he or she would be OK. But not a great place to take a child who's not confident- no help from the swimming instructor. If anything they didn't seem to care.

Negative experience: Haven't been here for a few years and wanted to take my Granddaughter down. What a nightmare. You have to book online on Everyone Active website or set up an account, you can't just rock up and pay to swim. That was a mission in itself!!!! The changing rooms were freezing which for an adult, we can cope with, but my poor Granddaughter was shivering, especially when we came out. When we got in the pool we discovered the baby pool was not available, only the shallow end of the main pool. In order to book the baby pool, it is a different session, not a "Family Swim Session"!!! Certainly different to the last time I went down, probably won't go again.

Fantastic experience: I spoke to a lovely lady called Susie, she's am absolute super star and I have never spoken to a nicer woman! She is so kind and understanding! A fantastic listener and I can't wait to come for a swim! Really made my day thank you!!!

Negative experience: To the lady who directs Friday's zoomba classes. I have witnessed last Friday your absolutely not acceptable behaviour towards a new comer. You must remember that everyone who takes part in your classes have different fitness level, different concentrations level to follow others movement. You are not a director of West End musical , women coming to move themselves about, dance to their abilities and simply to have fun. I have witnessed you undermining a new comer who appeared not to be as fit as you that she doesn't move like you wish. The girl had tears in her eyes. You will be very lucky if her family will not make complaint

Positive experience: Convenient location. Friendly staff and not too busy.

Positive experience: Just went for a swim today. Being a member helps...the changing area has lockers which can be secured with your own padlock. The pool was hardly used ...must be the hot weather! It's a session that is for lane swimming; fast, medium and slow. It's a 25 metre pool. There is also a sauna ( didn't use it today) and it would be nice if there was a steam room. The shower area has seen better days and could use a refurb not least for the shower heads. Friendly and helpful staff and definitely worth the monthly subs.

Positive experience: Nice staff good place to train and swim

Fantastic experience: Excellent

Positive experience: From Everyone Active to BCP, the gym is better, more equipment, better laid out. However, the pool is cooler, notwithstanding that it's "28.5 Degrees". The staff are as helpful, and friendly as ever...

Fantastic experience: Real nice leaiue centre staff re helpful

Negative experience: Having not been for a swim here for several years I thought over time it would have you got slightly better however…. The receptionist was really rude, the pool facilities were really untidy and not clean at all, the toilets did not flush, no toilet paper, the showers weren’t working so you couldn’t have a private shower and prices have increased. on top of that you have to pay for parking.! overall a terrible experience and I won’t be coming back!!!

Negative experience: Horrendous place. Booked to use the baby pool told by Will we will have an hour to use from 12.30-13.30 however the miserable lifeguard that was there kicked everyone out at 13.00 apparently they have a teaching class. Then was moved to the other pool which was too deep for my kids. 2 private tiny shower cubicles with barely any water going out. Place really needs a good clean sand in the pool as well. Staff are so moody and rude. Very disappointing experiences. Yes we got a guest pass for the day but I'd happily pay to give the kids a better experience.

Positive experience: How many years will it be until they "repair" the sauna...I think they are just saving on their electricity bills.

Positive experience: For a public swimming pool, under so much stress for the last couple of years - excellent. Yes it's definitely starting to show its age, but the staff are 1st class & very helpful. The facilities are very good. Membership is well worth the money. Overall very good & great value for money.

Positive experience: First time using the leisure centre, joined in the Aqua Aerobics, the instructor ( Georgia?) happy and smiley, just what you need on a cold morning. Lady I spoke to on the desk very helpful and friendly. Will be returning.

Positive experience: It’s great for a bit of shopping but sadly the high street is dying bit by bit. It’s such a shame because otherwise it’s a nice small shopping centre. There are a few good spots to get food, I prefer going to the high street for food but of course there’s Starbucks inside too. The bus station is close by and there’s plenty of parking so it’s really easy to get to.

Positive experience: Great gym and good opening hours

Fantastic experience: 1st day using the facilities and had a lovely swim in the Boom pool

Positive experience: Swimming pool not very busy, water at nice temperature. Staff were pleasant and friendly

Fantastic experience: Its very easy to get on with what your comfortable with. Hygenic and easy to use.

Fantastic experience: Great pool!!!

Positive experience: Is good the gym and the swimming pool, highly recommended

Fantastic experience: Friendly staff, social distancing and regular cleaning of apparatus makes this a great gym during lockdown

Fantastic experience: Staff are really nice and friendly, but facility needs to be updated, such as toilet, shower etc.

Positive experience: Very well equipped. I will definitely join

Negative experience: the swiming poole is dirty dirty and dirty , the changing rooms is small the deposit cupboards broken most importantly the showers are cold , do not deserve even 1 star ! avoid

Negative experience: Sort your website out, I mean come on does this business mean absolutely nothing to the company that manage this place? No answer from the phone, no call backs when requested, completely useless website and a site that desperately needs investment. It really feels like the place has been given up on

Negative experience: I only visited the pool so I cannot comment on the rest. The staff are friendly enough but the pool, changing rooms and facilities are old, worn-out and falling into disrepair. The changing rooms are adequate but lots of locker keys are missing their wrist-band. In the family changing room, there are 2 hair-dryers, one out of order (looks like it's been that way for a long time) the other rusty but working, except you have to guess what coin it requires (3 coins in I discovered it was a 20p). The showers are awful. Huge changing rooms with many cubicles yet only 2 showers? Both gave a weak stream of water that was too hot to shower under and has no temperature adjustment. My 3 year old screamed and wouldn't stay under it. The shower cubicles are far too small for a family changing room. We gave up and used the disabled. The disabled changing areas, 2 exist but one was locked up and presumably out-of-order. The one we got into was grubby and worn out. The shower worked but was very weak and water sprayed out the leaky hose whilst using it. The pool is just about ok. Very old fashioned where the water level is below the top of the pool. Lots of very old tiles and evidence of mould about the place. The ceiling looks like it last had attention in the 1970s with rusty fittings and fluorescent lights behind frosted glass. The water was a little cool for children I thought but the toddler pool was warmer. The toddler pool itself looks like an old swimming pool that was cut in half. Rather odd appearance. It had lots of sand and grit in the bottom which was odd, especially in the corners. It seems to me the whole pool changing room area needs complete renovation. It's old, tired, mouldy, rusty and reminds me of school swimming lessons in the 1980s. It's a real shame, it could be such a lovely place. It's not expensive to swim there but you have to pay to park which is annoying. With kids we need to be able to get out the pool, shower off together properly and get changed and dry hair. We went when it was very quiet. If it was busy I don't suppose we'd have stood a chance getting to use showers and the one and only working hair-dryer. Disappointed.

Negative experience: #funpolice

Negative experience: The gym is good, bit small. The swimming pool is good size but, the water gets disgusting sometimes, just like the toilets and showers. 2 toilet and 4 shower for hundreds of member? Really? The diving zone is closed for years long, and they don't know when they going to repair that and reopen. ( noboby told me when I purchased my membership that is closed.) Basically the facility could be 5 star rated, has every potential to be 5 star, but the lack of maintenance, cleaning, water quality makes it a 2 star gym. Please hire professional cleaners! Clean the mould off from the shower area, and keep the toilet clean! The water must be cleaned every day, u have really low standards in a high standard gym.

Negative experience: The swimming teachers for the younger children are very good. The changing rooms and toilets need a hazard warning sign.... they are disgusting. Yes it's old but no need for it to be dirty.

Fantastic experience: Good facilities and helpful staff. Good Poole and plenty of space for family changing

Positive experience: Very good

Negative experience: I went for a workout the Dolphin Centre try to buy a drink beforehand all plastic and then what drink are for which obviously was all plastic I had to go back into the gym and use their water fountain get rid of the plastic and you get a lot more customers

Fantastic experience: Watching granddaughter at her swimming lessons lot's of encouragement from the teacher

Positive experience: It's not too bad as a shopping centre, with a large multistorey car park, public library and bus station included in the building complex. The Clipper cafe is worth a visit and there are several clothing shops, jewelers and other types of shop. But there are far too many empty shopping units, particularly on the upper level.

Positive experience: Gets busy here at times, lovely atmosphere here bought outfit and accessories, for sister's wedding here, from Primark and New Look got bargins.

Positive experience: Not something special but still a good place for some shopping

Positive experience: Freezing cold in the changing room and around pool

Negative experience: Chargeable parking was a slight put off but understandable. This was the most awful pool I'd ever been in. Dirt, scum and hair everywhere. Whole building (Pool and changing area) looked dated and grubby. Got out after 10 minutes for a well needed shower only to find two showers both freezing with dribbling water. Not happy at all! Would never go back.

Positive experience: Nice cheap memberships available, great if you're a student living in Poole halls

Positive experience: Not much here. Needs a revamp.

Positive experience: Facillities are ok. I only use the swimming pool and members changing rooms. Staff are very helpful

Positive experience: Mo

Positive experience: I always go back to this gym, it has more or less, everything you need, the staff are friendly and it has a good clean pool plus a sauna. The kids pool is warm enough for the little ones too. Like all leisure centres it has its off days, where maybe understaffed due to hol or sickness, but most of the negatives of unclean toilets etc is from weekends when kids overrun it and leave the toilets a mess, not unlike any other public used facility of this type. Overall the dolphin and everyone active is a decent centre.

Negative experience: Pool is contaminated with so much detritus now , earlier in the year it was clean , why do they not hoover the bottom ?

Negative experience: Falling to pieces. Far to old now. Swimm teachers awesome though. My kids really love the lessons

Positive experience: Wish they would turn the air conditioning on very hot

Positive experience: nice

Negative experience: Wow!! Poole council your standards surpass all expectations at all times!!! (Sarcasm cranked up here). So, we took out 12 week old to the baby pool at the old dolphin swimming pool today (everyone active). It should be called ‘Cleaning staff, caretakers and pool filters inactive!!!’ From the s£&t smells in the toilets to the literal scum floating around in the baby pool, what the hell has gone wrong. The knackered diving platforms and the filthy floors. Awful. If there wasn’t so much water in it I would suggest burning it down. I dare anyone to go to the baby pool and wear black clothes and look through the water to your black swimming gear. You will immediately puke at what you see. I am surprised this place does not glow in the dark with all the bacteria!! So yes. Poole Council. Sort this or invite me down. Let’s meet up and have a walk round in the leisure centre. Looks like there are complaints about it everywhere online as well. I guess life guards can let kids run around the pool edge as well as this is now against the tired and faded warning signs on the walls by the pool is it?

Positive experience: As good as any for swimming pools. Informative staff and clean pools.

Negative experience: Cold water, cold showers, we froze.

Positive experience: Value For Money, no frills. Been a member 8 years+.

Fantastic experience: I go to the gym three times a week here, it is very well equipped, and there are lots of trainers to help.

Positive experience: A pretty average shopping centre with a limited choice of smaller shops. The highlight for us is the climbing centre with cafe which is great for the kids. In all honesty the place needs a revamp it's all a bit old and tired.

Positive experience: You ll have to adapt you schedule with the club for the pool. The fitness area looks great!

Positive experience: Good swimming pool with warm children's pool, family swim, lanes and diving pool. Clean and well maintained. Somewhat unpredictable opening times. Always call to check. Website does not always reflect closure for swimming galas and lesson.

Positive experience: Clean and friendly. Pool is not very big though and not much for children