Am I the only one who finds the membership fee for the Southampton pool exorbitant? I live in the neighborhood and found the 800 per annum fee that I was told last year crazy. My wife and I are as of now kidless, but look forward to having yungin’s in the future. We’d love to have our kids be able to go one day, but to ask 800 dollars for use a pool for a summer is INSANE! Provided, there are a few other things available there, but I can pay a year for a family at American Family for the same cost and get WAY more. I’ve talked to others int he past who have a similar impression. Is this just the pool’s way of keeping away us middle-class “rif-raf”?
There used to be all sorts of public swimming areas, including some impressive ones in Byrd Park. When desegregation hit the area, the public areas went away, rather than be forced to open to all. I can’t remember where I read that tidbit.
We venture further out to Woodmont Pool near Forest Hill and Huguenot because it’s around $350 a year. Plus they have a high-dive, which my 32 year old husband loves.
We go to Bon Air Community Association, which is even closer than Woodmont. My family went there when I was growing up, and I’m happy to take my two boys. I’ve never had anyone check my cooler, either :)
Fees range from $280 for singles to $495 for a family of four or more, with no initiation fee (Granite has a rather substantial one, IIRC). Here’s the site.
Jacob, I have a feeling that $800 fee is a combination of an initiation fee and the first year’s membership. Our first year at Granite involved a $375 initiation and then $525 for a family membership (1 to 100 kids?). You only pay the initiation fee once, and I have a feeling that many pools charge this to keep people from hopping too and fro from pool to pool. I understand that Bon Air does not charge an initiation fee.
And Granite ALLOWS alcoholic beverages not in glass. We even provide lovely grills for cooking your own food any time. Been there almost 30 years now and the only thing I ever found wrong with Granite was that they never consider family membership price breaks for single parents, and I was one. Otherwise, it’s a great place with a great diversity of good folks.
[...] spending the weekend watching soccer, partying in Powhatan, Broad Apetit and lounging poolside made me miss a whole bunch of outdoor stories. Thankfully there are more diligent Outdoor Stewards [...]
Nice pic! Is that tilt-shift generator?
I used the Tilt-shift function on Instagram with my Itouch. It is fun to play around with.
Am I the only one who finds the membership fee for the Southampton pool exorbitant? I live in the neighborhood and found the 800 per annum fee that I was told last year crazy. My wife and I are as of now kidless, but look forward to having yungin’s in the future. We’d love to have our kids be able to go one day, but to ask 800 dollars for use a pool for a summer is INSANE! Provided, there are a few other things available there, but I can pay a year for a family at American Family for the same cost and get WAY more. I’ve talked to others int he past who have a similar impression. Is this just the pool’s way of keeping away us middle-class “rif-raf”?
Granite Pool (where the picture was taken) is considerably cheaper but still not cheap. http://www.planetgranite.org/docs/FeeSchedule_2011.pdf
There used to be all sorts of public swimming areas, including some impressive ones in Byrd Park. When desegregation hit the area, the public areas went away, rather than be forced to open to all. I can’t remember where I read that tidbit.
Thanks for the heads up Richard! Definitely closer to sane in terms of asking price and not to far away. Thanks again!
We venture further out to Woodmont Pool near Forest Hill and Huguenot because it’s around $350 a year. Plus they have a high-dive, which my 32 year old husband loves.
In addition to their adult-friendly high-dive, they also allow outside food and *beverages*
We go to Bon Air Community Association, which is even closer than Woodmont. My family went there when I was growing up, and I’m happy to take my two boys. I’ve never had anyone check my cooler, either :)
Fees range from $280 for singles to $495 for a family of four or more, with no initiation fee (Granite has a rather substantial one, IIRC). Here’s the site.
Does anyone have a review of the indoor Swansboro pool?
http://www.ci.richmond.va.us/parks/AthleticsSwimming.aspx
Free and open to the public.
Jacob, I have a feeling that $800 fee is a combination of an initiation fee and the first year’s membership. Our first year at Granite involved a $375 initiation and then $525 for a family membership (1 to 100 kids?). You only pay the initiation fee once, and I have a feeling that many pools charge this to keep people from hopping too and fro from pool to pool. I understand that Bon Air does not charge an initiation fee.
And Granite ALLOWS alcoholic beverages not in glass. We even provide lovely grills for cooking your own food any time. Been there almost 30 years now and the only thing I ever found wrong with Granite was that they never consider family membership price breaks for single parents, and I was one. Otherwise, it’s a great place with a great diversity of good folks.
[...] spending the weekend watching soccer, partying in Powhatan, Broad Apetit and lounging poolside made me miss a whole bunch of outdoor stories. Thankfully there are more diligent Outdoor Stewards [...]