Barbed wire around Villa Aquatic Pool in Fairfax — why?

[Anonymous]

My DD is part of a local summer swim team. It’s her first year. She had a meet at Villa Aquatic Club in Fairfax a few weeks ago and it was our first time there. The pool is partially surrounded by a high brick wall with barbed wire at the top and all around the perimeter. It’s giving prison vibes. I’m all for safety, but it looks awful. I’ve never seen that at other NoVa pools, and not at my neighborhood pool. Anyone know the history or have an idea why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DD is part of a local summer swim team. It’s her first year. She had a meet at Villa Aquatic Club in Fairfax a few weeks ago and it was our first time there. The pool is partially surrounded by a high brick wall with barbed wire at the top and all around the perimeter. It’s giving prison vibes. I’m all for safety, but it looks awful. I’ve never seen that at other NoVa pools, and not at my neighborhood pool. Anyone know the history or have an idea why?

No but our old pool had barbed wire on the one side of the fence that was more flush with a hill and easy to climb over. Pool was built in the late 50s so way before motion sensor lights and security cameras, so I assumed that was a relic of the time? It’s probably one of those things that would be costly or tedious to remove if they weren’t replacing a fence, and a wall probably never has to be replaced so they may be blind to it.

Is Villa Aquatic Club of a similar vintage?

[Anonymous]

pP and just looked at photos, and yes, looks old our pool’s cousin. Probably the same Build Your Own Community Pool plans came free with purchase of 250 tract homes.

[Anonymous]

Also can we talk about their mascot?

Please tell me they use it on caps or sweatshirts!

[Anonymous]

The Villa Gorillas!!!!

Lots of pools have barb wire ours did until recently. We finally removed it and then for several years after had a number of break ins at the pool. That is with lights and cameras now.

The pool is a fast pool and a nice one too. Eight lanes which is amazing.

We swam there last year and thought it was a lovely pool.

[Anonymous]

It keeps the ghetto out.

[Anonymous]

Clearly you were never a teenager skinny dipping in your community pool. My friends and I figured out how to get past the barbed wire and enjoyed many a summer night floating under the stars.

Wonderful summertime youth memories aside- I’d guess it may have helped them with insurance costs?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Clearly you were never a teenager skinny dipping in your community pool. My friends and I figured out how to get past the barbed wire and enjoyed many a summer night floating under the stars.

Wonderful summertime youth memories aside- I’d guess it may have helped them with insurance costs?

^this. Lots of teenagers used to swim after hours back in the day

[Anonymous]

Safety, if someone drowns, who do you think the family will come after.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Villa Gorillas!!!!

Lots of pools have barb wire ours did until recently. We finally removed it and then for several years after had a number of break ins at the pool. That is with lights and cameras now.

The pool is a fast pool and a nice one too. Eight lanes which is amazing.

We swam there last year and thought it was a lovely pool.

8 lanes is amazing?

[Anonymous]

Fond memories of sneaking into the local pool at night. It was so fun.

[Anonymous]

I love teams with more unique names than the common "dolphins" or "sharks."

Villa hosted our division's relay carnival a few years ago. It was a nice pool with plenty of space for team areas and spectators.

[Anonymous]

Because teens break in and wreak havoc.