Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-07-11
] Montgomery Heated on Community Swimming PooIs|C;
BY chorles [. Hoffman

Montgomery is no exception.
The community pool idea is re-
ported gaining interest across
the country.
And why shouldn't 1t, ask its
proponents. when for less than
the price Of q small television
set. q family can become q part
owner Of o full-size swimming
pool. 80 feet wide and go to 80
feet long.
Hearing Set Thursday.
The community pool enthusi-
asts, and there are thousands in
Montgomery. face their big test
Thursday night when the County
Council holds q hearing on a
coming law change that would
open the way for establishment
Of the pools under certain regu-
lations.
The County Board Of Appeals,
under rigid Interpretation Of the
present coming laws, has rejected
all community pool bids.
The council, however, would
like to rescue these groups and
is considering an amendment
that would permit the establish
ment of the pools on a minimum
lot Of 2.5 acres with off-street
parking facilities in any residen-
tial community.
Better Luck In Fairfax.
Community pools have Jared
better across the Potomac River
in Fairfax County. The Board
OF Zoning Appeals In most cases
has been eager to grant special
use permits for construction of
such pools, and at least q half
dozen have been started this
spring. Families have contributed
from 500 to 5000 for member
ship in the Fairfax pools. The
county has no public pool.
A number Of Arlington groups
have been trying to get SWIM
ming pools built. but little prog
resS has been made. Numerous
conferences with county officials
led to the tentative conclusion
that under present State law and
county ordinances. there are too
many complications to warrant
going ahead.
Just how widespread has the
help-yourself idea gone In Mont
gomery?
Groups Have Formed.
At least 10 swimming pool as
sociations are in some stage of
organization. Two others already
are in operation-one, Garrett
Park for only six weeks, and
the other, Edgemoor, established
for 81 years.
These groups have banded to-
gether as the Montgomery Coun-
ty Community Swimming Pool
Council. Their purpose is to
clear UP coming problems. to ex-
change technical data and to
set up inter-pool swimming
meets.
The council includes associa-
tons which cover some 20 COM
munities.
A Simple Formula.
The success Of the community
pool idea stems from the simple
formula for providing swimming
facilities. The formula goes like
this:
!. A group Of neighbors get to-
gether and form q club with 200
to 400 members.
Q. Each family buys share Of
club stock for about 500 plus
Federal taxes. This pays for the
land, pool construction, bath
house, toilet facilities and park
ing area.
3. Each family pays a $40
$S5 annual fee to operate and
maintain the pool.
Some associations, like the
Cedarbrook Club which takes in
West Kensington, Chevy Chase
View and Parkwood, even make
provisions at q local bank for
making initial payments in in
stallments.
In its membership drive, the
Cedarbrook Club. spanked by Al
Ian Graeff and Donald Stroetzel,
sent out talent missionaries,
so that each member could par
ticipate to his best advantage in
planning and developing the
pool.
The Cedarbrook Club with its
322 members Is blocked by the
Board Of Appeals from beginning
work on its 2.6-acre tract at
Summit avenue and Cedar lane.
The community pool fans are
facing opposition-or at least a
lack Of encouragement - from
two main sources.
First. there are those who feel
establishment Of the pools near
their home creates q nuisance
and depreciates the value Of
their property.
Mr.. Graeff, however, says that
real estate men for years have
been using the Edgemoor pool
as a selling point for homes In
that area. Complaints from resi-
dents there are at q minimum,
another club spokesman said.
One developer In Virginia re-
portedly gave o neighborhood
pool association more than I'VE
acres for q site on condition that
purchasers of his houses would
be eligible for membership.
Delaying Public Pools.
The second group Of opponents
are those who feel establishment
Of the pools win delay establish
ment at taxpayers expense. of D
network Of public pools.
Philip Marcus Of Wheaton re-
Gently posed the question In q