The College Park City Council is investigating whether the city or Prince George's County could levy a special tax for College Park Woods residents to help fund the neighborhood's cash-strapped swim club.

In recent years, the College Park Woods Swim Club has struggled to attract enough members to fund its infrastructure and operating costs, which are usually about $50,000 per year. The club, which was founded in 1964, is run as a nonprofit organization and members hope to raise enough funds to keep from selling the club to private ownership.

If College Park Woods residents approve, a special tax could slightly increase their tax bills but end membership fees for residents and ultimately save the long-standing club. City officials discussed the prospect at Tuesday's council work session.

"I'm asking that we educate the Woods as to what the city might be able to do to help," said Mayor Stephen Brayman. "I think the concern with selling the pool is that you lose a vital asset to the community."

Officials are in very early stages of discussing the plan and are not yet sure how or if it would be implemented. They could ultimately choose to fund the entire facility — which includes a six-lane, 25-meter pool, children's pool and 12-foot diving well — or only its clubhouse, which also hosts events and community meetings.

A tax to fund the club would likely require approval from more than half of the district's homeowners, according to state laws. However, city officials are not sure if the tax could be applied to recreational facilities.

An alternate tax plan definitely covers recreational facilities, but would require an OK from two-thirds of homeowners in the taxed district.

"[Two-thirds] is a large number, and I think that's a very reasonable number," said Councilwoman Mary Cook (Dist. 4). "I think that gives a very good feel from the community as to what they really want."

Brayman said the two-thirds option could prove difficult because it would require the city to secure a revenue bond in difficult economic times. The bond would finance the club and be paid off by tax revenue. He also expressed doubt that a tax could gain two-thirds support in a community where many residents are not club members, and some of whom want the club sold to private ownership.

City Attorney Fred Sussman said his neighborhood in Annapolis was able to save its struggling swim club by going to the county level. Residents approached Anne Arundel County officials, who designated the community as a special taxing district.

City officials said they would consider contacting the county, which Sussman said likely has the ability to enact such a tax, even if it has never done so.