FAQs
(Frequently Asked Questions)
On Membership:
Q: What is the cost to join?
A: A membership involves a share purchase and annual dues:
Current share price (since 1985): $775 (a one-time payment)
There are annual Member Dues, which must be paid by March 15. The Dues amount is set annually and can be viewed on the Fees page. Lease price and August Pass prices are below.
Annual dues are set each year by the Board of Directors. If one buys or leases after the pool opens, the annual dues or lease fee is pro-rated.
Q: Is there a waiting list to join?
A: Yes. There is a waiting list to purchase a membership. See more info at the "Join" page.
Q: How many memberships are there?
A: VAC has 450 memberships. The number is fixed in the By-Laws.
Q: I want to use the pool THIS summer, but I don't own a membership, what do I do?
A: If you aren't a member, you have several options to use the VAC facilities this summer:
You can try to lease a share (via VAC) to use the pool all summer. (This is a way to participate on the VAC Gator swim team.)
You can try to purchase an August Pass to use the pool during August (through closing at Labor Day)
You can be an invited guest of a member for periodic visits to the pool. (However, this does not allow swim team participation.)
See the "Join" page for more info.
Q: After I have a membership, do I pay any additional fees?
A: Members pay annual dues to maintain their membership in good standing and therefore maintain their use of the pool. Shares can be resold if the member does not pay dues.
On Summer Leases:
Q: What is a Summer Lease?
A: Allows a non-member household to use the facility for a summer season by paying the Summer Lease Fee. (See the Fees page.) A share is only available to lease If a shareholder elects to forgo the use of VAC for a summer season. The share can only be leased to a non-member via VAC. (A "side arrangement" between a shareholder and another party does not allow access to VAC.)
Q: What does a Summer Lease provide?
A: When one purchases a VAC Summer Lease, one is essentially "using" a member's "right to use" the pool for the summer.
That means that the purchasers family can use the pool "as-if" it held the membership. And can therefore:
Participate in Swim Team (subject to relevant eligibility rules, etc)
Invite guests
Use the pool whenever it is open
Like all users of the facility, leaseholders are obligated to follow all rules, regulations, policies, etc.
At the end of the season, the Summer Lease expires. If the leaseholder wishes to lease again, the leaseholder must join the waitlist for the subsequent year.
Q: How do I put my name on the Summer Lease waiting list?
A: The summer lease wait list for "next season" opens just after the close of the "current" summer season, in two phases: Phase 1 for current lease holders and Phase 2 for prospective leasors.
Phase 1 starts at midnight at the beginning of the day after the pool closes (the first minute of the first Tuesday after Labor Day
Phase 2 starts exactly one week later; at midnight at the beginning of the day after the pool closes (the first minute of the SECOND Tuesday after Labor Day
To join the list, send an email to membership@vacpool.org
If you hold a "current" lease AND you send your email before Phase 1 start, it will not be added to the wait list.
If you do not hold a "current" lease AND send the message before Phase 2 start, your name will not be added to the list.
Q: Does it cost money to be on the lease waitlist?
A: No.
Q: How many leases are there each summer?
A: It depends... on the number of members that decide to lease.
Q: I got a lease this year... do I automatically get one next year?
A: No, but as a current lease holder, you do have the opportunity to be toward the top of the lease list by signing up early (in Phase 1, see above)
On August Passes:
Q: What is an August Pass?
A: Allows a non-member household to use the facility during scheduled hours August and September of a summer season by paying the August Pass Fee. There are a limited number of August Passes available for purchase each year on a first-come, first-served basis. They are not renewable.
Q: What does an August Pass Provide?
A: When one purchases a VAC August Pass, it means that the purchaser's family can use the pool "as if" it were a member during the August/September period of the particular summer season. And can therefore:
Invite guests
Use the pool whenever it is open
Like all users of the facility, passholders are obligated to follow all rules, regulations, policies, etc.
At the end of the season, the August Pass expires. If the passholder wishes to get an August Pass again, the passholder must apply the subsequent year.
Q: What does an August Pass cost?
A: See the Fees page for current price
On VAC Facilities:
Q: How big is the pool?
A: The pool is an 8-lane, 25-meter configuration with 2 extensions: one with a dive well and 2 half-meter diving boards and the other with a shallow area and steps.
Q: Is there a baby pool?
A: Yes, a baby pool is physically separated by a fence from the main pool and partially covered by a shade structure. Its depth ranges from 6 inches to 2 1/2 feet.
Q: What else is there to do besides swim?
A: Amenities at the pool include: lounges and chairs, sun umbrellas, picnic tables, gas grills, a volleyball court, tetherball pole, ping pong table and a classic four-square court, and a great “pirate ship” play structure for young children. The pool deck is surrounded by grass and densely treed on three sides (open to the South), providing a good mix of sun and shade.
Q: What refreshments are there?
A: There are frozen treats (ice cream bars, popsicles, etc) available for purchase. Visitors generally bring other snacks. For meals, pizza delivery (Papa Johns, Domino's, etc) is common. There are also plenty of picnic tables and gas grills that are available. Families frequently bring dinner and grill at the pool.
Q: What is the pool house like?
A: The pool house was extensively renovated in 2007. It is clean, neat, and well-maintained by the staff. (It does not have lockers.) It has curtained showers and restrooms. There is also a wheel-chair accessible family restroom.
Q: Are there tennis courts?
A: Nope. VAC doesn't have enough land for tennis courts. We do have a great sport court with two basketball hoops and a volleyball net.
Q: Is there a diving board?
A: Yes, there are two "low" diving boards, located in the dive well. They are approximately 1 foot above the water. (That is, they are not 1-meter boards.)
About Us:
Q: How do I reach someone with the pool?
A: The most up to date contact info is on the About Us page.
Q: Do you post on social media?
A: The lifeguards typically post weather (thunder) updates on Instragram and Twitter, along with some event announcements.
Q: Where is the pool located?
A: 625 Marshall Rd SW, Vienna, VA 22181 (but don’t send mail there!) We are just east of Marshall Road Elementary School.
Q: Is there a summer swim team?
A: Yes, the VAC Gator swim team, known for its competitiveness and sportsmanship, competes in the Northern Virginia Swim League (NVSL), generally in the upper divisions. (See the 'Swim Team' page for more info.)
Q: Is there a summer dive team?
A: Nope… we’re all about swimming.
Q: When was Vienna Aquatic Club founded?
A: Vienna Aquatic Club was founded in 1962 as a membership-based private community swimming pool. It has operated continuously since then with a vibrant, active, and dynamic group of members.