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TextTransformation of Kings West Swim Club Now Underway
Nearly a year ago, Supervisor John Cook announced a “win-win-win”
situation in which Fairfax County acquired the defunct Kings West Swim
Club for storm-water management and park use. During a community
groundbreaking ceremony held on January 30 he announced that the work on
this project is now underway.
“This is a great honor and privilege,” said Supervisor Cook. “I am proud
to have been able to play a role in taking an abandoned pool that created
serious health and safety concerns for the community and transform it
into an environmental resource that will provide much needed water
quality enhancements in the Rabbit Branch of the Pohick Stream Valley and
protect a sensitive Resource Protection Area.”
Upon completion, the new green space will replace the club house and
parking lot, but will adaptively reuse the existing swimming pool in
order to remove several hundred pounds of nitrogen, phosphorous and
sediment that would otherwise pollute Rabbit Branch annually. The newly
created pervious surface will also reduce stormwater runoff by 44,000
cubic feet per year, or roughly 10 percent of the annual rainfall that
would otherwise flow through the site, further improving sediment control
and reducing the effects of erosion. Because of these significant
environmental benefits, stormwater funds of $430,000 were provided to
undertake this work.
“When community and government come together and work cooperatively,
successes like this happen,” continued Supervisor Cook. “The community
has been very proactive throughout this whole process, maintaining its
commitment to the swim club while also searching tirelessly for a way to
reuse the property in a beneficial manner. The County’s Department of
Public Works (DPWES), and the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) are to
be especially commended for their vision and dedication to this project,
and I’d also like to personally thank Tony Vellucci, our Braddock
District Representative to the Park Authority, for his work in
shepherding this through.”
This is a significant achievement for the Braddock District. The
community gains additional green space. The removal of the pool and its
amenities removes a potential health hazard, eyesore and crime magnet. It
also avoids potential financial liability for pool board members, who
have served in the best interests of the community and were subject to
potential legal obligation as a result of the closed pool.
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