Beede Center

The Beede Center (pronounced ‘Bee-dey’, not ‘Bead’) is an impressive precedent of a community pool. The architecture enables ample lighting for swimmers in varying pool sizes. Like all Northeastern USA pools, they are 25 yards and are known as ‘short course’. In contrast to standard global measure of 50 meters. The half size does not impact the talent, just an adjustment for other nationalities. The Beede was built in 2006 by a modern architect so there is plenty of natural light shining over and in the pools. Thankfully there is no overwhelming smells of chlorine (Charlestown YMCA, Newton YMCA are below ground level). The temperature is the warmest in greater Boston making it welcome for most. However, there are no steam room or sauna facilities (shout out Bridgewater YMCA). Email communications for members give peace of mind on any alterations. The Beede is a flat entry rate which is a little more than comparable pools in the area. There are discounts for many that are eligible. The Atkinson in Sudbury charge extra on weekends and require a complicated online pre-lane booking process. The Beede team understand the need for maintaining water quality and have professionals routinely examine for bio-hazards and hygiene; thankfully. No spitting signs are welcome as the offensive criminal act needs to be reinforced in the male bathrooms (Quincy YMCA). The Beede’s best attraction is the successful diversity, equity and inclusion of patrons making it a shining example of community pool; DEI at its best. There are grandparents with grandchildren playing in the kiddie pool, school kids of all nationalities learning in the dive pool, aqua aerobics for all, heartwarming disability folks having a splash and non-rookie lane swimmers in a master’s class. All groups cooccurring to a pumping stereo, like an impromptu musical of swimmers. I am grateful of the pool guards doing their professional jobs, Jodie's smile at the welcome desk and all the friendly staff members. The unrecognized ‘Gem of the Beede center’ is Coach Illka, Mr Illka Suvanto. He is encouraging, patient and professional coach with prestigious experience. He was also an olympic swimmer. He now coaches most competency levels if you are fortunate to register in time for his masters classes. "Last & Fast" refers to his call at the well earned finale of self paced sessions; a welcome instruction for those exhausted. The Beede Center offers a lot; reliable and clean facilities with health supporting staff for all the community.

If you have a child with Autism and anxiety, I recommend requesting a tour before coming to swim at this facility. I think it would have been helpful if I had taken a tour by myself, and taken pictures of the rules and the pools to share with my child in advance of coming to swim. The Beede Center may even have a Social Story about their facility that you can read with your child that would make it that much more accessible to them and you. If they don't, I recommend they create one. In the future I will introduce myself and my child to the life guarding staff as well. This was suggested to me by DJ Fimiani, Assistant Director of Recreation at Concord Rec. It was a great suggestion. This way my son will be more likely to listen to life guard directions and they will be aware that it might take a few tries to get his attention.

Excellent facility for swimming and fitness training. Pools and exercise equipment are well-maintained; trainers and staff are professional, helpful and supportive. Facility closures for holidays and maintenance are clearly communicated. Top marks all around!

Very nice pool(s) in a clean and well maintained facility. Locker rooms and showers are kept very clean.

Disagree with a prior review saying this pool is not good for kids. They have a great shallow warm pool and, separately, a kiddie pool with fun water works - both of which kids are allowed in. Kids only have to take a swim test to go alone in the lap lanes (otherwise, an adult has to accompany them, which is very reasonable). The only way that test would be "humiliating" for a kid (as the prior reviewer said) is if the child actually couldn't swim properly, in which case they shouldn't be in the deep pools. I am glad that Beede has proper rules so that kids aren't just dumped at the pools to run amok while other swimmers try to actually swim laps or exercise. Beede is a great facility, with great management.

Disagree with a prior review saying this pool is not good for kids. They have a great shallow warm pool and, separately, a kiddie pool with fun water works - both of which kids are allowed in. Kids only have to take a swim test to go alone in the lap lanes (otherwise, an adult has to accompany them, which is very reasonable). The only way that test would be "humiliating" for a kid (as the prior reviewer said) is if the child actually couldn't swim properly, in which case they shouldn't be in the deep pools. I am glad that Beede has proper rules so that kids aren't just dumped at the pools to run amok while other swimmers try to actually swim laps or exercise. Beede is a great facility, with great management.

Very nice pool and gym. The pool is only closed occasional for a swim meet. Not cheap.

Clean pool, well ventilated, super friendly staff!

Coaches are upbeat and friendly. The equipment is excellent. Best of all, the workouts are varied so it's never boring.

Very nice quiet gym. Nice staff and a clean environment!

Very good except swim team is a bit crowded. Therapy Pool is amazing with its bubbles, and the kiddie pool is very nice.

Coaches are upbeat and friendly. The equipment is excellent. Best of all, the workouts are varied so it's never boring.

Coaches are upbeat and friendly. The equipment is excellent. Best of all, the workouts are varied so it's never boring.

Excellent pool and other facilities. Friendly and helpful staff. Very clean.

I love this place. It truly is a place for all types of people - not just fitness freaks or super athletes. It's always clean and the staff is friendly and...

Excellent pool and other facilities. Friendly and helpful staff.

Perfect. The water is very clean and the facility is well maintained. Very friendly staff!

pretty nice swimming pool, small collection of exercise equipment. but there are four pools! one Maine lap pool which is the standard 25 yards of most places. and then a short dive well with two or three tall diving boards. that pool can be used for short short therapy or laps when there are no divers. then there is a therapy pool which is like a warm bubbly jacuzzi but it is quite large for that kind of thing! and then a kids spray pool which is really fun for young kids 2345. probably gets a little boring for older kids. the most impressive thing is that they made a huge effort and stayed open during the pandemic. they set up a system where you reserve a single or a double lane with rules to keep people safe. relatively safe. at first the slots were like a luxurious 85 minutes long now gone down to 55 minutes. the point is when you reserve a lane it is yours and that is really excellent. I have to give it to all the stuff in their hard work. the cleaning is a little silly which has been proven to not be important. the most important thing of course is air exposure and they're pretty good about that. I hope they keep their laying reservation system. some places are like a shark tank and it's very uncomfortable swimming in busy Lanes.

Beautiful facility! Adhering to strict cleanliness protocols.

Thanks for the hard work keeping it open!

I love the Beede Center! The staff is friendly...they knew my name long before I remembered their's! The personal training is outstanding. Laurel...

The pool is glorious, nicer than Thoreau Club or any other private pools in the area. It's not overchlorinated, so you don't reek of bleach after swimming...

Beautiful, clean indoor pool that doesn't reek of chlorine. There are two small gyms (one for cardio,, the other weights) for independent exercisers (perfect for people who are retired or have flexible hours, since both the pool and the gyms are pretty crowded in the pre-work hours.) A variety of swim class options (water aerobics, arthritis, deep-water workouts) that are all extra charges to members with a slightly higher charge for non-members. There are two Coached Workout groups (aka Master Swimmers) that meet 2-3 times a week, and an Introduction to Coached Workout for people who can dog-paddle and want to swim better.

The water of the pool is quite clean and feeling comfortable, and till now (2017) it has 10 time pass which only cost $100. If you don't need a membership or not doing fitness often, it is a quite good option. Recommended for people who live near Concord and love to swim.

There are a handful of options for gyms in Concord and the surrounding area. Beede is not a Boston Sports Club or the like -- it is much smaller than those...