City Council is mulling its options for the future of Quarterpath Pool, which could be closed by next summer if there is no public objection.
The council had its first public discussion about the pool, which has seen decreasing attendance over the years, during its Monday work session. Former city intern Jason Saunders conducted a study of the pool’s viable options and came up with three: make significant improvements, close the pool or close the pool and form a partnership with another local pool to still offer swimming lessons for city residents.
In 2012, Quarterpath made back 12 percent of its total cost to operate, down from 16.5 percent in 2011. Nationally, public pools are struggling to make money, with a 40 to 60 percent cost recovery considered “doing well.”
Saunders said the pools that have stayed open did so with strong community support, and typically after making investments that transitioned the traditional lap pool design to a more kid-friendly waterpark design.
In Williamsburg, Quarterpath Pool faces competition from 38 neighborhood pools, three pools in James City County, the YMCA and Water Country. Saunders said the strong swim team culture in the area, with 15 local teams at pools requiring membership, contributes to Quarterpath’s losses. In 1982, there were 14 pools in the area.
The pool has seen considerable decreases in the number of swimmers and the number of students attending swimming lessons. At its peak in 1982, more than 9,000 people made visits to swim in the pool and more than 700 swim lessons were given. Last year, less than 3,000 visitors came to swim and less than 100 swim lessons were given.
To save money, the city cut the pool’s hours down to 25 hours a week, and consequently, reduced its maintenance contract, in 2010. Paid attendance dropped from 2,960 visits to 2,047 visits. In 2012, 13 families had memberships at the pool. Its maintenance contract was $36,900 and it made $4,410 in open swim fees.
Saunders presented three options for the future of the pool. First, the city could perform needed maintenance, including renovations of the wading pool, adding decking and replacing the filter. The maintenance contract would have to be increased to accommodate expanded hours, and the pool could become more attractive with new furniture and/or shade tents and options for facility rental.
If the city pursued this option, including the wading pool renovations, its total one-time investment would be between $196,850 and $221,850. With expanded hours, it would cost $73,760 to run annually. Even with those improvements, Saunders estimated the city would still lose money running the pool.
Councilman Doug Pons said he didn’t think making a capital improvement at the pool was the best idea, “knowing how competitive it is.”
The second option — closing the pool — would remove operational expenses and potential revenues, but would also cost the city if it chose to demolish the pool. The space could be used for additional volleyball or basketball courts, or an expansion of the Rec Center, Saunders said.
The third option would shift the city into a support role, directing customers to take swimming lessons at a partner swimming pool, beginning next summer. For $6,500, the city could provide funding to its partner pool, set up a swimming lessons scholarship fund and advertise the lessons. City staff have discussed the idea with the private Williamsburg Community Pool, and recommended this option to council on Monday.
Council seemed to support exploring that option, but wants to hear from the public before making a decision. Staff will continue to work with the Williamsburg Community Pool to come up with a partnership proposal.
