Hello Klams! 

Happy winter. I hope the recent cold spell has made you long for a warm summer at the pool! I'm writing to bring you some exciting news that has been in the works since late summer, and to introduce you to our early-bird membership special. 

As you may know, Williamsburg Aquatic Club (WAC) lost their home pool at Eastern State Hospital last year due to the pool closing. They have been looking for a home pool since. Kingswood board has been working closely with the WAC board to determine if it is feasible to host WAC at Kingswood - by bringing the "Bubble" to Kingswood. 

WAC and KW Boards, and Coach Harold will be working over the coming months and throughout the summer to obtain the necessary permits and begin necessary upgrades to our pool infrastructure so that we can house the "Bubble" at Kingswood. What does this mean for Kingswood: 

1) Summer swimming season - no change. Summer swim will remain the same. Aside from some new concrete beside the pump house & equipment atop the concrete (Water heater, air handler unit), and upgraded utility services, the pool will remain our beloved summer home. 

2) Winter swimming season - We will now have some level of a winter swim available to the membership. Details are still to be worked, but the pool will have the environmentally controlled enclosure, and be heated to allow winter swimming! The amount of time available to swim will be determined based on usage by WAC, however we will work to get dedicated hours in the week for you to enjoy some winter swimming in a warm environment. There is the possibility of open lane swimming hours, water aerobics, open pool for kids to play, and winter pool parties! Winter membership rates are yet to be determined, but will be worked. 

3) Financials - Kingswood Board views this as a positive for our financial status. As you know, not being a neighborhood association supported pool, our financial stability is solely based on income membership rates and the hard work and dedication of volunteers at our fundraising events. Having the extra income in the winter from memberships and parties should better stabilize our budget throughout the year, and bring a wonderful asset to our membership, and our local community as a whole. 

4) Community support - With the addition of a winter pool in Williamsburg, replacing the loss of Eastern State, community support previously hosted at the bubble in winter can resume. This includes providing a pool for Emergency Services training, High School Swim Team practices, lifeguard training, etc. 

We look forward to the hard work and partnership with WAC in bringing this capability to our membership. If you have ideas or abilities that can assist in helping us in this endeavor, we welcome your services! 

Lastly - This summer, Kingswood membership rates will increase due to increased operations costs to keep our pool running. We have done our best to hold off this required increase in membership dues the past few summers to bring you the best value for your money. The new summer family rate this year will be $400 per family, $265 for a couples membership, and $190 for a single membership. Swim team rates will not likely change this year, but we are waiting to hear what VPSU dues will be before that is finalized. 

We are offering the ability to get your membership early at last years rate though! If you register and pay for your membership by March 1st, you can receive the early bird rate at last years cost of $380 for a family, $250 for a couple, or $180 for a single membership. An email will follow in the coming week or so with an updated registration form.

If you have any questions, you can contact anyone on the board at [email protected]. 

We look forward to seeing you at the Chili cook-off February 1! Thank you so much, and have a wonderful winter! 

T Watson 

KW Board President