TAKOMA PARK, Md. (WJLA) - A vibrant public swimming pool is facing a very dry future amid Montgomery County budget concerns.
The Piney Branch Pool, located inside of Piney Branch School, has been a safe and affordable community-gathering place for decades. However, Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett did not allocate funding for the pool in his recommended FY 2016 budget. In turn, Piney Branch Pool could shut down as early as June 30 if the Montgomery County Council, which has final budgetary approval, does not make an amendment.
"When I heard that we weren't funded, my heart sunk, I was devastated. I said, 'No this can't happen," Joyce Seamens, director of pool operations remarked. "Look at it! This is a beautiful indoor pool."
Each month, roughly 1400 people use the 25-meter pool that features six lanes and two water slides. Senior citizens, families, kayak clubs, scuba diving classes --- even the Montgomery Blair High School varsity swim team are currently on the pool schedule.
According to Seamens, Piney Branch Pool costs around $250,000 a year to operate. Despite the $90,000 in revenue it makes from admission tickets and private classes, it's still in serious need of public funding.
"Right now all we're asking [Montgomery County] for is $160,000. They really ought to put kids first," Seamens stated.
On Monday, pool promoters (many school children), packed a Takoma Park Council meeting. One-by-one they rattled off a list of the many benefits the pool brings to the community. That same evening, Takoma Park's Council passed a unanimous resolution, essentially telling Montgomery County leaders to cough-up the cash.
The resolution highlighted the fact that Piney Branch Pool serves an immediate community where 35 percent of children are on free and reduced lunches. Most of those children cannot afford to attend private pools, which often charge costly dues. Piney Branch is the only viable option.
"Residents of Takoma Park and southern Silver Spring have little access to other indoor public swimming pools... The pool provides young people in the community, especially those who may not have easy access to water safety or swim lessons, a place to learn how to swim," the resolution reads in part.
As with any municipal budget process, County Executive Leggett had a seemingly infinite number of needs, coupled with a very finite number of tax dollars to spend. County spokesman Patrick Lacefield tells ABC 7 News, Leggett is optimistic about the pool's long-term future.
"We are committed to working with the community to find a sustainable funding and maintenance plan for the Piney Branch Pool in the future," Lacefield stated.
The Montgomery County Council is currently mulling over the $5 billion budget for FY 2016. Sources say certain members are well aware of the funding feud regarding Piney Branch Pool. No decision has been reached thus far.
"If we don't get the funds, this pool will look like it did in 2009 --- empty, green at the bottom, lights out. It will look very desolate," Seamens concluded.