Albemarle County Beaches Closed Due to Budget Cuts

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Updated: 7:49 PM Aug 31, 2010 Albemarle County Beaches Closed Due to Budget Cuts Lake beaches in Albemarle County are now off limits after money normally earmarked to keep the beaches open into the fall season has dried up due to budget cuts. Posted: 4:22 PM Aug 31, 2010 Reporter: Mark Tenia Email Address: mark.tenia@newsplex.com

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August 30, 2010

Many people consider the Labor Day weekend the unofficial end of the summer, but residents looking to cool off at any of the various Albemarle County lake beaches will have to wait until next year.

Disappointed swimmers were turned away over the weekend.

The beaches at Chris Greene Lake, Walnut Creek and Mint Springs Valley Park have been closed two weeks earlier than normal after budget money normally earmarked to fund them is gone because of cuts to the Parks and Recreation Department.

Albemarle County Supervisor Dennis Rooker says each department in the County was tasked to make a certain amount of reductions.

"The Parks and Rec Department, based upon usage and based upon the life guard situation, in recognizing the need to save money because revenues are down in the county, decided that it would be wise to close the last two weekends," said Supervisor Dennis Rooker.

In cost cutting moves, the department decided to cut lifeguard and cashier hours over the summer, as well as closing the beaches two weeks earlier than originally scheduled. In total, the decisions saved about $20,000.

Park officials say the drop off in attendance when school starts helped make the decision.

"Looking at the expense of keeping the lakes open the last two weekends and the revenue coming in, it was just one of the things that were kind of mismatched, so it was one of the things that was cut," said Amy Smith, supervisor of the recreations program.

For beach-goers, however, the decision to close early was an unfortunate end to a very hot summer.

"I saw the sign and the closed booth and thought 'what a shame' because this is a fun place to come. It's local, so families that can't go on a big vacation or pay for a hotel at the beach could come here and really enjoy it," said Kathy Erskine.

While the various Albemarle County beaches are closed for Labor Day weekend, the parks remain open. And officials say they will not charge admission to the park due to the beach closings.

Latest Comments

Posted by: tj peabody on Aug 31, 2010 at 11:08 PM

15 cents per resident to raise the 6k to keep them open. What idiot decided that this was a smart way to save money? Why not do a story on how they arrived at this decision. It is obviously a ploy to punish the taxpayer into coughing up more dough. We want names...

Posted by: Louise Location: Charlottesville on Aug 31, 2010 at 04:49 PM

I purchased a pass for the county lakes and did not receive the promised dates. First, you changed the hours and my family and I always enjoyed the 10am start as we had our lunch and went home before 1pm.Second, the county without notice took away weeks of our paid beach time. What were they thinking? Well, to say that we are dissatisfied would be an understatement and I will probably not buy another pass as the county does not back up their promises.

Posted by: it's cheaper over mtn. on Aug 31, 2010 at 12:13 PM

everything is cheaper and more available over the mountain. pools and beaches are open and cheaper. shopping is easier and cheaper. gas is cheaper. youth activities are cheaper and easier to get to, guitar, piano, cheerleading to name a few). The county needs to take a drive and do some comparison. it's too expensive to go to Crozet Pool, just wait and see if they get the dome, their prices will go skyrocking. just one more reason to go over to Waynesboro.

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