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Vienna officials are approaching a key decision on a proposed aquatics and fitness center as several Town Council members question whether the town should advance the project before reviewing other long-term capital needs.

The council is scheduled to consider awarding a project-management contract on Feb. 23. Parks and Recreation Director Leslie Herman told council members on Feb. 2 that the town is evaluating bids from firms interested in overseeing the facility’s planning and design.

If town officials negotiate a contract they consider fair and advantageous, the proposal will go before the council. Approval would clear the way to seek bids from design firms, with a design contract potentially awarded around June.

The council would still have several opportunities to halt or reshape the project. A completed design would require council approval, as would a later construction contract.

The proposed facility would occupy the vacant Annex property at 301 Center Street South, which Vienna purchased from Vienna Faith Baptist Church. Concepts have included a swimming pool and a second-floor fitness center overlooking the water.

A September 2024 report estimated that construction could cost between $20 million and $26 million in 2029, though the price could change during design and bidding.

In November 2025, the council authorized an agreement accepting a $3 million advance from Navy Federal Credit Union to pay for a project manager and architectural firm.

Aging pipes compete for attention

Councilmember Howard Springsteen called for delaying the aquatics project by at least several months while Vienna examines other priorities, particularly replacement of its roughly 60-year-old water and sewer infrastructure.

“I’m really concerned about the water and sewer, and I think this is a critical project, and we probably need to double our effort, because if not it’s going to come back and bite us big time,” Springsteen said.

Public Works Director Brad Baer said Vienna replaces about one mile of water mains annually and is proceeding at a similar pace with sewer lines.

Town Manager Mercury Payton said staff members are studying how to raise the share of the capital budget allocated to annual sewer replacement from 1% to the 2.2% sought by Springsteen. Water and sewer rates, which the council sets during its annual budget process, fund that work.

Councilmember Chuck Anderson also supported pausing the aquatics proposal while the council reviews faster pipe replacement and Vienna’s broader capital needs.

“I don’t mean to drag this thing out, but I think we as a council have a fiduciary responsibility to look at … all the capital needs over the next 10 years,” Anderson said.

Councilmember Dann Nash, who joined the council after the advance-funding agreement was approved, said officials should better understand the financial effects of accelerating water and sewer work before committing to major projects.

“That’s not necessarily a pro or con for the pool,” Nash said. “It’s just make sure we have our fiscal house in order before we proceed.”

Council debates public input and off-ramps

Anderson suggested holding a public hearing soon to determine whether residents still support the aquatics facility. He said community engagement should address more than design details such as the number of swimming lanes.

Mayor Linda Colbert said Vienna has already conducted extensive outreach, including a meals-tax hearing, surveys, emails and a months-long public study of possible uses for the Annex property.

“We did community outreach again and again and again,” Colbert said.

Some details cannot be settled until design work begins, Colbert added. Moving forward would give officials enough information to understand what they are evaluating, including possible pool configurations.

Councilmember Jessica Ramakis called for clearly defined decision points so council members know when they can continue, modify or stop the project. She said the council should identify which financial figures require the closest examination and how those findings will guide later votes.

Payton recommended evaluating the aquatics center separately from water and sewer replacement because the projects rely on different funding sources. Utility rates pay for water infrastructure, while meals-tax revenue and grants support capital work such as new buildings and renovations.

The council approved a one-percentage-point increase in Vienna’s meals tax in 2025, effective at the beginning of 2026. Officials initially considered dedicating a 10-year increase to the aquatics center but ultimately rejected an expiration date and directed the additional revenue to the town’s capital-projects fund.

Vienna’s proposed 2026 capital improvement program also includes pedestrian upgrades, Town Hall renovations and athletic-field refurbishments.