A project decades in the making is opening this month.
For years, various groups have discussed making improvements to Dix Memorial Pool, which opened in Gordonsville in the mid-1950s. That dream will come to fruition next week when the new pool opens with a chamber ribbon cutting and special Town of Gordonsville Day event.
The project, which includes not-yet-completed broader improvements to Verling Park, was spearheaded by the town and the all-volunteer Town to Trail organization. It was also initially boosted by some of those long ago pool rejuvenation efforts. In 2011, the New Millennium Sports Committee (NMSC) abandoned its unsuccessful efforts to create an all-ages public recreation facility near Orange County High School, opting to donate its $25,910.98 to a newly-created Dix Memorial Pool Committee in Gordonsville. Months later, the Orange County Board of Supervisors donated more than $27,000 for the project. The committee ultimately was unable to carry the pool project forward, but those funds, combined with fundraising efforts from community members, created an initial approximately $70,000 nest egg which was held in escrow by the town.
In 2017, Town to Trail began its work, first as a work group under the Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) and later as registered 501c3. The group has worked diligently to assist the town in the project. Three lots were acquired with assistance from the PEC along with acquiring property owned by CSX to expand the park’s footprint into 10-acres of green space. The land acquisition phase attracted approximately $700,000 in private and public funding.
Through Charlottesville-based Land Planning and Design Associates (LPDA), now known as Kimley-Horn, the first phase of the project was designed including new park infrastructure, an event pavilion, playground equipment and of course, a larger, regulation-sized swimming pool with an adjacent “kiddie” pool. The phase was estimated at $3 million. Actual bids placed it in the $7 million range, splitting the first phase into two parts–the pool ($3.9 million) and the pavilion, playground and walking paths (approximately $2-3 million). A future phase two could include a multipurpose court and smaller picnic shelters.
Town to Trail has continued to fundraise. According to secretary Liz Samra, the group has just about met its $35,000 fundraising for the event pavilion, which will replace the current park pavilion. That money will be matched 100% through a grant from the Perry Foundation. Samra said in January, the organization turned over approximately $31,000 to the town for the park project and expects to donate an additional $100,000 this year.
“In every generation or so you get the chance to do something that will have an impact on the town,” Samra said. “This expansion will hopefully serve residents for decades to come.”
The town has also acquired a $1.6 million matching federal grant through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The Manning Family Foundation has donated $1 million to the project and Grelen Nursery has donated trees for the park.
“This [project] has truly been a community effort,” Gordonsville Mayor Ron Brooks said. “Former mayor Bob Coiner, previous council members, organizations, donors and citizens have all played roles.”
Brooks said the residents of Gordonsville have been especially instrumental with more than 100 donations ranging from $10 and up.
Many of the funders and supporters will be present at the pool ribbon cutting ceremony. A groundbreaking was held in June 2024 and since then contractor Mogan-Keller has been hard at work demolishing the old pool and constructing the new one. The Orange County Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday, July 31 at 11:30 a.m. Following the ceremony, there will be a special Town of Gordonsville Day at the pool. On July 31, Town of Gordonsville residents only can enjoy the pool as a small token of appreciation for their support and patience during construction. Admission will be free, but concessions will be available for purchase. The pool will then open Friday, Aug. 1 at noon for both in-town and out-of-town residents. The goal is to have the pool open Tuesday through Sunday, 12-7 p.m. as long as staffing allows, later transitioning to Friday through Sunday, 12-7 p.m. through the majority of September. Entrance rates begin at $4 for in-town residents and $10 for out-of-town residents, with out-of-town discounts for seniors and military.
Fundraising will remain ongoing for the additional Verling Park upgrades. The town will be soliciting bids for that part of the project within the next few weeks. Donations may be made through Town to Trail online at https://www.towntotrail.org/donate or by mail to PO Box 132, Gordonsville VA 22942. Donations can also be made through the town online at https://pay.paygov.us/EndUser/PaymentAgency.aspx?ttid=22641 or by mail to Town of Gordonsville-Park Project, 112 S. Main Street, PO Box 276, Gordonsville, VA 22942.
