Procurement update: Charlottesville hires New York firm to run outdoor pools

When Charlottesville’s two outdoor pools open for the summer on Memorial Day weekend, a firm called LIVunLtc LLC will be in charge of their management. The city awarded a contract to the firm earlier this month to run Washington Park Pool as well as Onesty Pool.

“Onesty was operated by this company last year and the reception from the public about their experience at the pool was positive,” said Afton Schneider, the city’s director of communications and public engagement.

Schneider said the company will be paid $80,000 for their management services.

“The firm is responsible for hiring lifeguards and front desk staff, as well as manager the concessions,” Schneider said.

The contractor will also have to develop a plan for emergency action including emergency procedures, an emergency weather plan, accident and injury reporting, fire procedures, and active attacker protocols.

The contractor will also have to run the concession stand and this can be subcontracted to another firm. Alcohol sales are prohibited.

Over 23,050 people attended Onesty in the summer 2024 season compared to 14,589 at Washington Park.

LivUnLtd LLC officials will report to the director of Parks and Recreation or their designee.

Admission fees for city pools are a source of revenue, but income was reduced during the pandemic when hours were reduced with $56,308 collected in FY2021. That increased to $231,825 in FY2022 and went up again in FY2023. The adopted budget for FY24 assumed $476,749 in revenues, but the FY2025 budget lowered that amount to $296,270. The audit for FY2024 will yield the actual numbers.

However, the aquatics department costs more than that to operate. The actual costs for the city were $1,069,108 in FY2021, $1,730,558 in FY22, and $2,191,324 in FY23.

Other recent procurement activity:

• Bids are due on April 3, 2025 for contractors to replace 2,900 linear feet of iron water main on Locust Avenue. (learn more)
• Two companies have placed bids on a project to renovate the courts at Tonsler Park. S.L. Williamson’s proposal comes with a $341,291 price tag and the one from Finley Asphalt and Concrete came in at $486,614.99. An award had not been made at publication time. (learn more)
• The city is seeking to replace eight doors at Charlottesville High School. Quotations are due on April 11.
• The city is seeking quotations for sidewalk work at Sheridan Avenue, St. George Avenue, and 12th Street NW. Quotes are due on April 11, 2025. (learn more)
• There’s another sidewalk project at 12th Street NE, Grove Avenue, and Little High Street. This and the next three are also due on April 11. (learn more)
• A third sidewalk project is at Highland Avenue and McElroy Drive. (learn more)
• How about a fourth? This one is for Stratford Court and Park Street. (learn more)
• A fifth one is a little different. The city is taking quotations for a project at Monticello Avenue and Second Street “for pedestrian improvements on all four corners of the Monticello Ave and 2nd Street intersection to increase visibility for pedestrians and reduce the crossing distances across the intersection.” These are due on April 18. (learn more)

Top photo: Onesty Pool (Credit: City of Charlottesville)

Before you go: This was the fourth and final installment of the March 31, 2025 edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement. It was posted here two days later. This is all part of Town Crier Productions.