Effort to change name of Shadowood pool resurfaces in Reston

Local residents are asking Reston Association to change the name of Shadowood pool once again.

The effort — which previously came up over a decade ago — is primarily underway in order to tackle the assumption that the pool is only for the use of the Shadowood Condominium Association instead of for all RA members.

Residents want to rename the area to South Lakes Recreation Area, which includes the pool and tennis courts at 2201 Springwood Drive, according to materials for the RA Board of Directors meeting on Thursday (June 22).

They argue the name change would improve usability and encourage access for all paying members.

“The Shadowood Pool name change issue has been dragged ad nauseam, but is not going away and it will not go away,” Connie Fiorito, secretary of the Colonial Greene Cluster, wrote in a 2011 memo. “Why? Because even if some may think that it is a mundane issue, it is a real issue for the members whose use Shadowood pool, as shown by the signatures of support.”

The issue first arose in 2009 and 2010 when some residents approached RA for a name change. The board ultimately voted against a change in 2011, citing a lack of the required number of signatories for a petition.

A new official name change request was submitted by Alan Nathanson in December. Staff recommended reviewing the issue soon — but not on an expedited timeline.

“As staff does not believe this item is a high priority in the midst of the park and recreation staff’s busy season, staff recommends the Board take this issue up in the fall and winter in advance of next year’s aquatics season,” staff said in the meeting materials.

Several RA members petitioned the board to approve the name change at a May 25 meeting.

The request comes as Shadowood pool undergoes major renovations. In the first phase of the project, refurbishment and squaring is planned before the facility reopens in the middle of the summer.

The remainder of the work — including a wading pool conversion — will happen in the off season. The pool is expected to then reopen before the 2024 swim season. First built in 1976, the pool has been replastered several times because surrounding trees drop debris that stain the white plaster surface.

Since then, RA’s board approved $1.1 million for construction-related costs. Renovations include chipping out the tile and coping. A gas line will also run from South Lakes Drive to allow the installation of heaters to heat the main pools.

Repairs to the bathhouse roof, flooring and exterior lighting are also planned, and the wading pool will be converted into an interactive splash pad with a recirculating filtration system to save water.