Reston Association is closing some of its 15 pools in stages rather than all at once, a strategy that keeps select locations open through Labor Day weekend and into September.

Laura Kowalski, RA's director of recreation, explained the approach in a statement posted Wednesday, Aug. 26. The association concentrates its remaining staff at fewer pools as the workforce shrinks each August, she wrote, allowing those locations to maintain safe staffing levels.

The reason is straightforward. Most of RA's lifeguards, front desk attendants and other pool workers are high school and college students. As August arrives, they return to classrooms, start sports seasons or head to college move-ins. Teachers, retirees and other seasonal employees round out the staff, but the student departures leave RA unable to safely operate all 15 facilities.

Kowalski wrote that every pool must meet staffing requirements to operate safely, making it increasingly difficult to keep all 15 open once the school year begins.

So RA narrows operations pool by pool. Several pools will remain open through Labor Day, Sept. 7. Designated locations will stay open beyond that date, offering lap swimming and weekend recreation into September.

RA has not announced which pools will stay open longest. The association directs members to check the full schedule at reston.org/aquatics or email [email protected] with questions.

Last year, RA's pool season ran through Sept. 21, 2025. No official closing date for the 2026 extended season has been announced.

What's ahead for Reston residents:

• Labor Day, Sept. 7: Several RA pools remain open for the holiday weekend.
• Post-Labor Day: Designated pools continue operating into September; check reston.org/aquatics for the list.