The State of Master Swimming.

Big numbers of swimmers paying for programs would not only keep existing pools open, but would drive communities to approve new pools to be built. Sure, it sounds good in theory - if you could guarantee big numbers of paying swimmers you can indeed solve the pool availability problem. Are you suggesting that offering a free USMS membership (avg annual cost of $40) will bring out people in droves to pay ~$600 to $1200+ (or whatever) annually to swim on a team and therefore keep pools open and build new ones? I have no idea how much it actually costs to operate a private pool (building costs, mortgage, property taxes, staff, insurance, supplies, etc.) but it is rare to find such a facility that can fully support itself from pool use revenue (rec swim, swim team, dive team, etc.). There are plenty of private health clubs with pools and I think the NOVA pool in Richmond, VA is fully private so I'm not saying they don't exist. But the overwhelming majority of us are fortunate to have swim programs at local or state subsidized facilities (county pools, universities, etc.). It's hard enough sometimes to keep a pool open that is government subsidized, let alone one that relies strictly on pool use revenue. I have a feeling if we actually had to pay the true cost per capita to use the pool more people would take up running!

Big numbers of swimmers paying for programs would not only keep existing pools open, but would drive communities to approve new pools to be built. Sure, it sounds good in theory - if you could guarantee big numbers of paying swimmers you can indeed solve the pool availability problem. Are you suggesting that offering a free USMS membership (avg annual cost of $40) will bring out people in droves to pay ~$600 to $1200+ (or whatever) annually to swim on a team and therefore keep pools open and build new ones? I have no idea how much it actually costs to operate a private pool (building costs, mortgage, property taxes, staff, insurance, supplies, etc.) but it is rare to find such a facility that can fully support itself from pool use revenue (rec swim, swim team, dive team, etc.). There are plenty of private health clubs with pools and I think the NOVA pool in Richmond, VA is fully private so I'm not saying they don't exist. But the overwhelming majority of us are fortunate to have swim programs at local or state subsidized facilities (county pools, universities, etc.). It's hard enough sometimes to keep a pool open that is government subsidized, let alone one that relies strictly on pool use revenue. I have a feeling if we actually had to pay the true cost per capita to use the pool more people would take up running!