Report: New Indoor Pool Could Cost $20-33M

A new indoor recreation facility in Reston would cost between $20.3 million and $33.5 million, but costs would be as much as 81 percent covered within 10 years.

Those are two of the main points made it Reston Community Center's market analysis update prepared by consulting firm Brailsford & Dunlavey.

• See the entire 124-page B & D Analysis in the PDF attached to this article

RCC hired the firm earlier this year to examine the feasibility of building a new indoor recreation center featuring indoor aquatics at Baron Cameron Park. B & D's findings update a 2009 report it did (in conjunction with Reston Association) to determine feasibility for a much larger facilty at Brown's Chapel Park.

Craig Levin of B & D summarized the report for the RCC Board of Governors and a room full of citizens at RCC Hunters Woods on Monday.

"It starts with demographics," said Levin. "Would people participate and would they participate in a public or private facility?"

The answer, he says, is yes. He cited RCC's current 2,000-person wait list for swim programs, as well as a nearby area that includes a population of nearly a million people.

"Aquatics are in high demand around the country," he said. "There is not a 50-meter pool every block. People will will travel long distances for one."

He also said he has heard "loud and clear" the concerns of many community members. Among them: traffic, reduction of green space and soccer fields at Baron Cameron Park, location and rising taxes in Small Tax District 5.

"[RCC] is not going to consider the report in a vacuum." said Levin. "It is also important to balance [the findings] with community concern. We heard loud and clear that location is a concern. the board is going to consider that. The cost and impact are all important factors."

RCC chose the location at the 68-acre Baron Cameron Park because it is owned by the Fairfax County Park Authority. Land acquisition costs would be $0, and the two organizations would partner on the project.

That has led to further criticism of Restonians paying for a facility that would serve others who would have little-to-no financial obligation.

However, B & D's report (which cost RCC $25,000, said RCC executive director Leila Gordon) estimates that 90 percent of the usage would come from Reston residents. It also shows that the greatest revenue generator would be pass sales and rentals, and out-of-district users would pay higher fees.

Some of the reports key findings:

* Community input has shown a demand for aquatics programs as well as weight and fitness facilities and multipurpose rooms. It has also shown community concerns over location, competition with existing public and private facilities and cost.

* Reston's population is expected to grow from about 60,000 to 65,685 over the next 10 years. Meanwhile, Reston median household income is nearly double the national average, making residents more likely to participate in recreational activities.

* B & D is looking at two models.

• Option A: 52,000 square feet; 25-yard pool; fitness space; two group fitness rooms; one multi-activity court; and one multipurpose room. Cost: $20.3 million.
• Option B: 84,900 square feet; 50-meter competition pool with diving well; fitness space; two group fitness rooms, two multi-activity courts and two multipurpose rooms. Cost: $33.5 million.

* B &D predicts project stabilization within four years, and a majority of cost recovery in 10. Option B would actually recover costs quicker because there are more revenue-generating options (such as rentals for major competitions).

The RCC Board will review the findings and hold a special meeting on June 10 at 6:30 p.m. at RCC Hunters Woods. The meeting is open to the public and will include a public comment time.

The board June 17 meeting will present its annual report and draft budget outline for capital improvement and maintenance plans.

"The board will continue gathering info about possible site locations, relevant financing info and any other data," said board chair Beverly Cosham.

"It is important to note none of the June decisions will commit RCC to anything other than planning for a referendum on a Reston project and the dialogue with the Fairfax County Park Authority. There is much more work and more opportunity for the community to with us on opportunities for Reston's future."

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