Personally, I think this is the way to go, unless you want to run the pool as an outright charity. The problem with a donation-based system is that, even if you get enough donations to cover costs, it's essentially a decency tax on those who step up and donate.
thanks donations haven't met costs, so I have been putting my own money in
if donations had met costs this move would not have been necessary
"decency tax" I like it , never thought of it like that, but well said sir
