There are 2 drawbacks:
1. no lane lines. lines on the bottom of the pool, but no ropes. So, being outside, and with no artificial references, backstroke is pretty impossible. :(
2. The "locker rooms" offer little facility for changing/ getting ready for work. The women's side is the home of some Brooklyn boxing league. (cool!) There's an actual ring, lots of punching bags, and exercise equipments in the first HUGE room. Some time 12 x 12 inch lockers line the front wall. There's a mens' room and a womens' restroom. A little hall corner thing lead to the back. Open showers. Questionable silver bathroom stalls. No seating, benches or otherwise. and finally, no mirrors. i had no clue if I looked like a freak or not, when I left. I had to put all my things on the floor, and the bottom on my bag got wet. and the water was dirty from the crud on the floor. gross. i managed to get my hands all in that. plus hair product. and no sinks to wash in. toilets and no sinks. hmmm.
anyway, i need to find some sort of bag that will fit tightly on me so I can run with my swim/day gear clothing, etc.
BTW: This entry took me an hour to write do to working in the open hallway with constant traffic.