VIENNA, Va. — The town is considering a pool and fitness center that town residents want on a vacant annex property, but that would come at a cost.
On Monday, the Vienna City Council received the final recommendations regarding the future use of the annex. Contractor Kimmel Boglet presented a concept for an indoor recreational pool with a lap lane and water play area on the facility’s first floor and a fitness center overlooking the pool on the second floor.
“Viennese residents are very health conscious, and this is something they have been asking for for a long time,” said Mayor Linda Colbert. “I’m excited to have the opportunity to make it a reality.”
Kimmel Boglet estimates construction of the pool and fitness center facility could cost between $21 million and $26.5 million. During Monday’s work session, the town council discussed moving the project forward quickly by implementing a temporary 1% meals tax. The tax revenue will be used to build a pool and fitness center, which is expected to open by 2030. Based on the town’s regular capital planning process, the town estimates it won’t be able to open by 2040 without temporary meal tax revenue.
The town has already implemented a 3% meal tax. The mayor noted that interim meal taxes from 2002 to 2008 were used to fund construction of the Vienna Town Green.
“Despite the additional penny tax on the dollar, overall restaurant revenue has increased over that time, and now we have the opportunity to use the same formula to build an aquatics and fitness center in the heart of Vienna,” Colbert said. said. “We’re talking about adding 3 cents to a $3 coffee or 15 cents to a $15 meal to pay for highly desired town amenities as soon as possible.”
The proposed meal tax increase would be repealed after 10 years. The Vienna City Council plans to seek community input through additional activities and public hearings. Residents can also provide feedback to the Town Council at council@viennava.gov or by calling the Town Hall Office at 703-255-6304.
The city purchased the former Faith Baptist Church annex property at 301 S. Center Street in fall 2020. It was temporarily used as the Vienna Police Headquarters during a police station reconstruction project.
The Town Council estimated that it would be costly to bring the building up to standards for parks and recreation use, and voted to demolish the building in 2023. Demolition work began in the spring.
When the town purchased the property, it was envisioned for long-term use with a more community focus. A survey conducted by consultants Kimmel Boglet Architecture + Sites found that pools and fitness centers are the top two options residents want on-site. Similarly, a recreational pool and fitness center were two of the community’s top priorities during the town’s parks master planning process.
