Fieldale invests in economic development, community revitalization

The community of Fieldale is making major strides in economic development and revitalization, with ongoing projects aimed at preserving historic sites, improving public spaces, and attracting new businesses.

Among the latest efforts is a $325,000 to $350,000 renovation of the pools at the Fieldale Community Center, which are undergoing extensive repairs to ensure they remain a recreational hub for residents. Additional projects include the redevelopment of the center and potential renovations of the former primary school building, all part of a larger vision to stimulate growth in the area.

The pools, built in the 1950s, have served as a central gathering place for generations. Now, they are being modernized with essential structural repairs, including new skimmers, pipe replacements, and fresh plaster to restore the pools’ integrity.

“They are concrete pools with plaster walls. Over the years, the plaster chips off and flakes off. We had to patch it every year,” said Andrew Kahle, board member of Fieldale Heritage, Inc.

The leak-prone plumbing system is also being addressed to prevent future water loss. Additionally, one of the kiddie pools will be removed to accommodate swim meets, with modifications ensuring the facility is competition-ready.

“We are going to prepare for things you hold for backstrokes, and the platforms you dive off of for freestyle are ready for competitive use too,” said board president John Garland.

Surrounding areas are also being enhanced, with improvements including:

∙         A new entry gazebo

∙         A Snack Shack inside the gate

∙         Renovated bathhouses with handicap-accessible restrooms

∙         A new fence around the facility

Kahle emphasized that the need for renovations was evident from the moment the pools reopened in 2015. Initial upgrades included filter replacements, painting, and other repairs, but the long-term goal was always a full-scale renovation.

“They’ve been there since the ’50s. We knew we were looking at about a 10-year window in 2015,” Kahle said.

The extensive repairs were initially planned to be completed in phases, but officials ultimately decided to complete everything at once to ensure the long-term sustainability of the pools.

“We decided to do everything that needed to be done in one phase,” Garland said.

One of the biggest improvements is the addition of skimmers around the entire pool to improve water circulation, replacing the outdated gutter-based treatment system.

Other planned upgrades include a prefabricated ‘Snack Shack,’ set to arrive on March 6, and the restoration of bathhouses, which have been partially used for storage in recent years.

“It will have showers, new toilets, new sinks. There are two handicapped bathrooms now that we are restoring and sprucing up a little bit,” Garland said.

Despite delays caused by winter weather, Garland said there are only three months left before the project needs to be completed for the 2025 season.

“It’s the last pool in the county that’s an outdoor pool,” Garland said, emphasizing the importance of keeping it open for the community.

The redevelopment of the Fieldale Community Center is also in its preliminary planning phase, with Garland working alongside an architect to prepare applications for the Department of Historic Resources in Richmond.

The design phase is expected to last six months, with the full renovation projected to take about a year. Once completed, the community center will feature 14 rental spaces aimed at boosting local economic growth.

“The actual renovation will take about a year, with probably six months of planning, so about a year and a half from this summer is when we hope to have a building renovation,” Garland said.

Interest in renting the new commercial spaces is already growing. Among potential tenants are:

∙         A barbershop

∙         A commercial office

∙         A brewery

Garland hopes to also provide space for nonprofit organizations that serve local youth, describing the potential impact of the project as transformational for Fieldale.

The revitalization efforts extend beyond the pools and community center, with interest in renovating the former primary school building as well.

“That would be huge for the community too. The worst thing that can happen is all of the buildings stay empty,” Garland said.

Kahle added that concerns about the recreation center deteriorating were a major factor in moving forward with these projects.

“I think it’s a win-win all the way around. You don’t want to see these empty. You can see that firsthand with the primary school around the corner,” Kahle said.

The Fieldale board has taken several steps to enhance the area, including:

Converting old tennis courts into basketball courts and adding an outdoor stage for community events. Garland emphasized that economic development thrives on momentum, and once one project is completed, it often sparks further improvements.

“Economic development is kind of a progression. Once you start and do one building, it serves as a catalyst for other things. Once you have businesses start to move in, people see that and are attracted to that. It builds on itself, just as decay builds on itself,” Garland said.

The board expressed gratitude for volunteers and supporters who have helped with the pools and fundraising efforts over the years, including Mac Gordon, Jane Eggleston, Sharon Gilbert, Jay Gilbert, Mike Gilley, Vivian Slaughter, Susan Harbour, and Nancy Arnold.

With the renovations nearing completion, the Fieldale pools soon will welcome daily guests, marking another milestone in the community’s revitalization.