User fees could help fund Urbanna pool

Questions linger on how to make new Taber Park community pool a viable project for Urbanna

by Tom Chillemi –

Now that the Urbanna Town Council has begun negotiating a contract for a new community pool, the question remains how to pay for it.

“I know from talking to people,” said Goldsmith, “that there are some people in town that are of the feeling that because taxes always supported the pool, taxes will be able to build a new pool and support the new pool. That’s no longer the case with the current cost of things.”

Goldsmith presented ideas for getting outside income, other than taxes, to build a pool. At the same time, he asked for feedback on ideas. “None of this is set in stone… I’m pleading, give me some feedback,” said Goldsmith who gave out his email address, which is b.goldsmith@urbannava.gov.

Some ideas include a membership fee, selling brick pavers with names inscribed, selling the pool naming rights, in the same way stadiums are named after corporate sponsors.

Membership fees

After the meeting, Goldsmith explained that membership revenue and taxes should be able to maintain a new pool. “The issue is the nest egg necessary to actually build the pool.”

Goldsmith has checked with other pools and some ideas for income generation mirror the structure of those pools — such as a membership fee. The goal is to generate funds quickly. One idea would be to have a “charter membership,” where for a $12,000 up-front payment, the family would not have to pay yearly fees…