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Vienna’s plan for an indoor pool and fitness center is moving forward, but its potential $28 million price tag has prompted protests on social media and lawns across town.
The proposed facility would rise on the three-acre former Vienna Faith Baptist Church property, known as the Annex, near Vienna Elementary School. The town previously purchased the site, which remains vacant.
Officials say residents have sought a local pool for decades, with demand growing after renovations to the Vienna Community Center did not include one.
Leslie Herman, Vienna’s parks and recreation director, said surveys found “overwhelmingly that one of the biggest unmet needs was a pool and also a fitness facility.”
Opponents question whether the facility is necessary and whether taxpayers can afford it. Signs declaring “small pool, BIG cost” have appeared in parts of Vienna.
“Vienna is a great little town, but our taxes have gotten so difficult for so many of our residents, and it’s going to continue with this aquatic center,” resident Don Feltman said.
Later this month, town leaders are expected to seek Town Council approval to hire a project management firm.
Pool, gym and community space envisioned
Vienna’s long-term Capital Improvement Plan allocates $28 million for the project, although its design could change. Herman said the pool might have four or six lanes and would be 25 meters long.
A project FAQ estimates that roughly 110 people could use the water at one time. Plans also envision a second floor with cardio and stretching equipment, turf training areas and free weights, along with community meeting rooms.
The town projects that between 1,500 and 2,000 Vienna residents would purchase memberships, joined by more than 1,000 nonresidents. Both groups would pay to use the center.
In November, the Town Council accepted a $3 million interest-free advance from Navy Federal Credit Union for early project management and design work. Vienna also recently raised its meals tax to 4%, with that revenue supporting capital projects, Herman said.
Financial projections show a substantial operating gap. After accounting for inflation, the facility is expected to generate $1.6 million in fiscal 2034 while costing $3.1 million to operate.
Supporters see benefits, while critics question the value
One resident who requested anonymity said a nearby swimming facility could benefit seniors while providing recreation for children.
Another resident, Melissa, said she had not learned all the details but believed the center would not be useful enough to justify its cost to town residents.
Feltman urged leaders to reduce taxpayer spending so younger families can afford to remain in Vienna and older residents are not priced out.
Herman emphasized that the project is not guaranteed to open in 2030, despite concerns that it is already a done deal. She said the council will have several opportunities during the design process to stop or alter the plan if it does not meet the town’s needs.
A long-term study of the Annex also considered a standalone fitness center or an outdoor gathering space. Herman said that although Fairfax County operates facilities nearby, a town-owned aquatic and fitness center would give Vienna greater control over programming and access.
She said the town’s FAQ addresses many public concerns and stressed that officials intend to make decisions for the broader community without jeopardizing Vienna’s financial standing.