Pictured is the Middleburg Community Swimming Pool. The pool was destined to close until a response from the public prompted a fundraiser to keep it open.

MIDDLEBURG — The Middleburg Community Swimming Pool’s future shifted quickly over the past 24 hours after the Middleburg Area Recreation Association announced on Tuesday that the facility would close permanently due to long‒standing financial strain.

On Wednesday, following a strong response from residents, the board said the pool could still reopen this summer — provided the community helps raise $50,000.

The initial closure stemmed from rising operating costs that had outpaced the limited revenue generated during the short summer season. Chemical prices, maintenance needs and repairs have continued to climb, and staffing expenses — which include wages for the pool manager and two assistants — have added to the pressure. Together, those costs created a deficit the board felt it could no longer sustain.

But the closure announcement sparked immediate concern, with families, volunteers and former swimmers quickly asking whether a fundraising effort could keep the facility open. That reaction led the board to reconsider the decision and outline a path to reopening as early as the next day.

The association has now set a $50,000 fundraising goal to cover operational needs, early‒season maintenance, chemical supplies and required staffing for the coming summer. Board members said the figure represents the minimum needed to run the pool safely and responsibly for the season.

In a social‒media update, the association also asked residents to be considerate in their responses and avoid directing frustration toward employees. Staff members, the post noted, did not play a role in the closure decision, yet some had received negative messages as the news circulated.

The board also clarified that grants cannot resolve the current budget problem. Grant funding is restricted to capital improvements and repairs and cannot be used for day‒to‒day operations, wages or chemical purchases — the primary areas contributing to the financial shortfall.

To move forward, the association is encouraging residents to form a community‒based fundraising group that can support the pool throughout the year. The board said the process should begin with a public meeting where residents can discuss ideas, coordinate efforts and develop a sustainable plan for long‒term support.

Details on the meeting and additional fundraising information are expected soon. For now, the board says the pool’s ability to open this summer depends on whether the community can work together to meet the financial goal and support the volunteers stepping forward.

The Middleburg swimming pool was dedicated on June 5, 1965.