Apex Centre Facility Guide: Pools, Fitness, Gym and Rentals

The pools

There are four bodies of water: two indoors that stay open all year, and two outdoors that open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

Indoor competition pool

25 yards by 25 meters with 11 lanes, 6 to 12 feet deep, and a three-meter diving board. It hosts lap swimming, water classes, synchronized swimming, swim teams and weekend diving-board sessions.

Indoor leisure pool

Zero-depth entry sloping to 4 feet, a river channel, a kiddie area with a play structure, an open-flume slide and three 25-yard lanes for lap swimming and water walking.

Outdoor leisure pool

A summer water-park-style pool, 3 to 4 feet deep, with a river channel, family slide, three closed-flume and one open-flume body slide, a kiddie play structure and a basketball hoop.

Outdoor kiddie pool

Zero-depth entry to 1 foot, splashground features and a small slide for young children.

Every pool has at least one lift for accessibility. Family changing rooms are on the lower level, and children 4 and older may not use the restroom of the opposite sex. Swim diapers are sold at the front desk.

Fitness floor, studios and track

The fitness area spans two floors of cardio and strength equipment, plus studio rooms used for group exercise and a cycle studio. Reports from opening day mentioned Life Fitness machines and Hammer Strength weight equipment; the current lineup may differ.

• Age rules: no one under 13 on the fitness floor; teens 13 to 15 need a parent or guardian nearby.
• Floor etiquette: collars on every barbell lift, spotters for heavy lifts, no chalk, no gym bags on the floor, water only in a spill-proof container, and a 30-minute limit on cardio machines at peak times.
• Training: only city-authorized trainers may coach in the building. A consultation is free; one-hour sessions cost $99 for members and $138.60 for non-members, and 30-minute sessions are $55 and $77. Packages of 3 to 20 sessions are cheaper per session and expire six months after purchase.
• Orientations: free equipment, aquatics and general orientations are offered to members.

The upper-level indoor track is 1/8 mile around. Outside lanes are for running and inside lanes for walking, the direction changes daily, and children under 10 must be with someone 16 or older. Strollers and wheelchairs are allowed.

Gymnasium

The gym can be split into east and west halves. The full room has six hoops, two full courts plus one regulation-size full court, and a volleyball court. Pickup basketball runs most of the day in 10-minute, winner-stays games of up to 10 players, signed up with an athletic assistant. Open volleyball is Mondays on the east side. Non-marking shoes are required, and dunking or hanging on rims is not allowed. The gym closes 15 minutes before the building.

Dry sauna

A cedar-lined dry sauna of just over 144 square feet with two levels of benches and an ADA pull-out space, usually held between 170 and 175°F. It seats up to eight, first come, first served, for adults 18 and over only. The posted guidance is about 10 minutes per visit and never more than 20, with no water poured on the rocks.

Playroom

A supervised playroom takes children from 3 months to 9 years for up to two hours, once a day. A parent or guardian must stay in the building (the outdoor pool area counts) and only the adult who signed a child in can sign them out. Staff do not change diapers or give medication, and no food or toys from home are allowed. The posted ratios range from four infants (3 to 11 months) per staff member up to ten children ages 4 to 9 per staff member. Family memberships and family day passes include the playroom; other pass holders pay $5.

Rental prices

All rentals are booked through the Apex Centre rental team and must be paid in full when reserved. Prices are member / non-member.

Pool rentals happen after normal hours, starting 30 minutes after that pool closes, and include lifeguards. After-hours gym rentals do not require day passes.

Cabanas and birthday parties

Birthday room packages run on Saturdays and Sundays only and must be booked 14 to 180 days in advance. The 15 included guests count the birthday child and every adult; extra guests pay the $9 group rate. Individual cabanas can only be rented by members or McKinney residents, and there are five to choose from. Outside food is welcome at every rental, but glass and alcohol are not.

Getting there

The Apex Centre is at 3003 Alma Rd. in Gabe Nesbitt Community Park, McKinney, TX 75070, near the intersection of Alma Road and Eldorado Parkway. Park in the lot; motorized vehicles are not allowed on the entrance walkways. The official phone number is 972-547-2739.

For opening times by area, see the hours and pool schedule; for pass prices, the membership and day pass guide; and for lessons, the swim lessons guide. The McKinney Aquatic and Fitness Center home page has the quick answers and FAQ.