Hi Dave. I think there is space for everything in these pools.
For example -- in our neighborhood pool, there is an attached post, where people with less mobility can can even with a wheelchair and get down and do exercises. I have seen people exercising and talking and listenning to music all coexisting in peace. I can seat and read, dip in and swim around with no problem. It is not overcrowded (We go mainly in the summer as we are not full time residents yet) . This is Calumet Grove neighborhood pool. On the sports pool: My husband and i do enjoy the lap swimming. It is a big pool and on one section of it, there are always other activities, weight, dancing and the kind. I never noticed any problem. This is for the Regional Mulberry Grove Rec Center.
I was once there at the end of October and at around 8:00 pm, and a full moon I swam and the water was quite pleasant. I hope they will have warm water in the winter so we can swim all year round.
All the best. Hope you will enjoy! You are probably familiar, but I list the link to a web page . If you click on a center, it will play a video of the facility and it is a nice virtual tour… I browse it often from Virginia (and feel closer to this until someday I move to TV).
Recreation Centers