Lochee Swimming and Leisure Centre in Dundee, Scotland shows 4.3 from 118 reviews, and its five written reviews, spanning 2019 to 2026, reveal a genuine tension between a serious, detailed hygiene complaint about the pool itself and multiple more recent reviews praising the staff and cleanliness efforts.
A Serious, Detailed Complaint About Pool Hygiene
Allahna Lawson's review, from September 2021, is the most alarming here: "Staff are lovely. Changing rooms are very clean and modern. Took my 4 year old into the showers before entering the pool and smelt like urine! It was actually disgusting and so strong. The pool area hasn't changed since I was a young kid, I'm 37 now, the grime on the inside of the pool was unbelievable and I felt like pulling my child out the water and taking him home. The only reason I didn't was because he would be so upset. Please get the pool sorted. It's awful!" I'd flag this in full detail rather than soften it, since it's a specific, serious hygiene complaint from a parent describing visible grime and a strong odor, not a vague dissatisfaction, and the multi-decade "hasn't changed since I was a young kid" comparison suggests a longstanding maintenance gap rather than a one-off bad day.
A Detailed Account of Staff Quality Outweighing Facility Wear
Negus Negast's review, from August 2024, roughly three years after Allahna's complaint, offers a more positive but still honest account: "Been coming here 3 or 4 times a week for about 6 months. Travel across the city passing other facilities. Reason, the staff. Superb bunch. Always so welcoming, friendly and helpful. The pool and changing area are a bit tired. The staff keep the place very clean and tidy. Can get busy especially when schools finish for the day." I'd note that "a bit tired" phrasing directly, since it's a softer, more recent echo of Allahna's harsher complaint, suggesting the underlying wear she described hasn't been fully resolved even if daily cleanliness has since improved.
A Detailed Account of Basic Pool Amenities for Families
Sheryl's review, from July 2019, sets specific expectations: "Not used the gym yet, as I need to get a membership, but I do however use the pool. Good for swimming. It's OK for families who're wanting a swim, as it's a basic pool, no water slides nor diving boards, for that you would need to go to the Olympia swimming in town, which caters more to families and others looking for a mess around." I'd treat that direct comparison to the Olympia pool as a useful, specific pointer for families specifically wanting slides or diving boards, since Lochee clearly isn't designed for that use case.
A Detailed Account of Booking System Improvements and New Crowding
Richy Smith's review, from February 2022, focuses on a different, more recent friction point: "Great booking system which is easy to use and very clear. Plenty of equipment which is cleaned thoroughly after each session. Love that the pool is open again. Unfortunately, now it's open swimming again, it's become increasingly difficult to actually just swim." I'd flag that specific tension directly, since it describes a genuine tradeoff: reopening to general swimming access made booking easier but swimming itself more crowded.
What's Missing
Nothing here confirms whether the specific pool hygiene issue Allahna described in 2021 has been structurally resolved, since Negus's 2024 review still describes the pool area as "a bit tired," even while praising daily cleaning efforts. No review states current membership or day-pass pricing.
Who It's Not For
Anyone with high expectations for a modernized pool facility, given a serious, detailed hygiene complaint from 2021 and a more recent reviewer's description of the pool area as still tired in 2024. Anyone specifically wanting water slides or diving boards, since at least one reviewer specifically directs that use case elsewhere, to the Olympia pool in town.
St Mary's Ln, Dundee DD2 3AQ, UK. The phone number is +44 1382 431840, and the website is activedundee.co.uk. Hours are Sunday 09:45-16:30, Monday-Friday 08:45-21:00, Saturday 09:00-20:00.
FAQ
Is the pool clean and well maintained?
Reviews conflict on this point. One detailed reviewer from 2021 describes serious grime and odor issues, while more recent reviewers describe the staff maintaining daily cleanliness, even while still calling the facility itself somewhat tired.
Does the pool have slides or diving boards?
No, according to at least one reviewer specifically, who directs families wanting that kind of pool to the Olympia swimming facility in town instead.
Is the gym separate from pool membership?
Yes, according to at least one reviewer specifically, who notes she used the pool without yet having a gym membership.
Is the facility often crowded?
Yes, particularly after school hours and during open swimming sessions, according to multiple reviewers specifically.