Cranston Mayor Hopkins Announces City is Initiating Bidding Process for New Budlong Pool

Cranston Mayor Hopkins Announces City is Initiating Bidding Process for New Budlong Pool

Cranston Mayor Kenneth Hopkins announced that his administration is moving forward with the final design and specifications to seek bids for the construction of a new Budlong Pool complex.

The pool’s closure and delayed rehab has been a political football between Democrats and Republicans and Republicans and Republicans.

Republican State Representative and potential mayoral candidate Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung attacked Hopkins' process in a column in GoLocal.

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“From the outcries during public comment at recent council meetings, it's quite clear we're barreling down the road and spending millions of taxpayer dollars towards something that many in the neighborhood aren't keen on.  Perhaps because they've been talked to instead of listened to,” wrote Fenton-Fung in August. “When making this level of financial investment, we absolutely must get the details right for an entire generation of Cranston's children.  It's time for a time-out.”

“While I know some of the public discussion was motivated by partisan activists who do not support my administration, there were some very thoughtful and considerate residents who helped us in this process,” Hopkins said. “In the end I am excited for all Cranston families that we will properly modernize and restore this facility with a sound financial investment and an exciting concept for many generations in Cranston’s future.”

Hopkins said that the bid specifications will include as a bid alternative, the splash pad concept to be considered based on the funding available.

The mayor noted that the city will use approximately $4 million of ARPA funds provided under the federal American Rescue Plan Act and a secured federal congressional grant of $750,000 to fund the modernization of the pool facility.

 

 

Hopkins' Review

“Following extensive review, considerations of options, public comments and community dialogue, I have directed that we move forward with the construction of a safe, modern 8,000 square foot pool for the next generation of Cranstonians to enjoy for the many decades to come,” said Hopkins.

“I have instructed our consultants Saccoccio & Associates and the national aquatic design firm Weston & Sampson to proceed quickly to seek construction bids for a new Budlong pool and bathhouse. I have listened to public comments over many months, suggestions by city council members, expert opinions by leading pool designers and I have determined that the Depression-era built 22,000 square feet has well seen its last day,”  said Hopkins.

“Through the public process that I welcomed over the past few months, modifications to the pool design shown at the community forum I hosted on September 6th at Cranston East have been finalized,”  said Hopkins.

The mayor stated updates were made to the pool concept, including increasing the size of the pool and the related amenities that will enhance the pool experience for Cranston families.

“When completed, we will have a new, safe pool complex that is ADA accessible, compliant with all health and building codes and goes well beyond the outdated and beyond repair existing rectangle pool,” Hopkins said. “Any objective consideration of the existing, declining World War II era-built pool must concur that it had aged beyond a long-term permanent upgrade and any attempt to apply more band-aids is a waste of taxpayer money.”

“I will not throw good money after bad with the quick fixes favored by some. We have about $4.7 million available in Federal funds to revitalize this recreational asset,” he said, adding that pool patching and quick fixes are off the board.

Hopkins outlined the features of the pool that will include a modern-day shape to enable better pool uses such as swimming lessons and parental supervision. Features will include a zero-depth walk-in entrance for youngsters and seniors.

“We will have ample space for lap swimming in lanes and a large area for general swimming use,” he said.

When built, the pool will have features like spray hoses and a covered area to keep some pool users out of direct sun. Mayor Hopkins emphasized that the new 8,000-square-foot pool will have sufficient capacity to accommodate more than 500 users at any one time.

“Based on the historic documented pool usage in the most recent years of operation that will serve more than an ample number of swimmers at any one time,” the he said.