Davey Lopes Pool Finally Fully Renovated After Years of Controversy
GoLocalProv News Team
Davey Lopes Pool Finally Fully Renovated After Years of Controversy
“I am happy to announce the completion of the Davey Lopes pool renovation. Originally the pool had a shallow depth of 3 feet, and the deep end was 12 feet without a gradual slope. Now the shallow depth is 3 feet that slope down to 6 feet. This pool is now up to code. The neighborhood kids will enjoy this pool for years to come,” said Roberts.
The pool on the Southside of Providence became a major political issue in 2014, after GoLocal unveiled that then-Providence Mayor Angel Taveras closed the pool as retribution against a member of the Providence City Council refused to vote for his budget.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTCivil rights leader Ray Rickman called Taveras’ actions racist.
“This is a class issue and a race issue. I'm angry and I've been this way for years. This administration (Taveras) is making it worse. We have them turning all the pools into what they're calling 'safe pools,' three and four feet deep--a swimmer can no longer use them,” said former State Representative Rickman.
Taveras repeatedly refused to reopen the pool, and the debate continued for months.
Finally, private funds were used to fix maintenance issues, and the pool reopened.
For Taveras, the fight over a neighborhood recreation pool was a political blackeye and became a liability during his run for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2014.
Gina Raimondo beat Taveras in Providence and went on to win the Democratic nomination and then the governorship in 2014.
“I want to give special thanks to the entire Public Property, Purchasing, and Art Culture and Tourism teams for working to make this project happen. The city is planning a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a neighborhood celebration in June. I can’t wait to see you all there,” added Roberts.
GoLocal won a series of awards for its reporting on the issue.