NEW: Providence Pools to Reopen July 6 - Davey Lopes Pool Under Repairs Again, Will Reopen Later
GoLocalProv News Team
NEW: Providence Pools to Reopen July 6 - Davey Lopes Pool Under Repairs Again, Will Reopen Later
A photo of the Davey Lopes pool when it was closed in 2013. Photo: GoLocalProvidence Mayor Jorge Elorza and city officials announced on Thursday that Providence pools will be opening Tuesday, July 6.
Providence outdoor pools opening on July 6 include: McGrane Pool at West End Recreation Center, 404 Dexter Street; Al Magno Pool at Neutaconkanut Recreation Center, 675 Plainfield Street; Selim Madelin Rogers Recreation Center Pool, 60 Camden Avenue; and Zuccolo Recreation Center Pool, 18 Gesler Street.
The Davey Lopes Recreation Center Pool, located at 227 Dudley Street, however, is currently undergoing construction and will reopen on a later date, according to the city.
During this time, the City said it will be offering "free, frequent shuttle rides" for Providence residents from Davey Lopes Recreation Center to McGrane Pool at the West End Recreation Center. To utilize shuttle services, residents must complete wavier forms and will be asked to wear a mask while riding in the shuttle.
SEE A TIMELINE OF THE DAVEY LOPES POOL CONTROVERSY BELOW
During July and August, Providence water parks and pools will be open Monday through Saturday from 12:00pm to 5:00pm. Water parks will be closed on Monday, July 5 in observance of Independence Day.
Water Parks Open
Providence water parks are open and located throughout the City.
Water park locations include:
Al Carrington Water Park at Richardson Park, 64 Richardson Street, (Corner of Richardson Street & Prairie Avenue)
Billy Taylor Water Park, 124 Camp Street, (Off Cypress Street)
Sackett Street Water Park, 110 Sackett Street, (Across from Sackett Street Recreation Center)
Harriet & Sayles Water Park, 375 Sayles Street, (Corner of Harriet & Sayles Streets)
General Street Water Park, 11 West Drive, (Off Admiral Street)
George West Water Park, 1266 Chalkstone Avenue, (Corner of Chalkstone & Mt Pleasant Ave)
Fargnoli Water Park, 945 Smith Street, (Close to Academy Ave)
Fox Point Water Park – at Cabral Park, 505 Wickenden Street, (Next to Vartan Gregorian School)
Neutaconkanut Recreation Center Water Park, 675 Plainfield Street, (Near Killingly Street)
Wallace Street Park, 1 Wallace Street
Pastore Park, Corner of Knight Street and Tell Street
Joslin Recreation Center, 17 Hyatt Street
Chad Brown Water Park, Chad Brown Street
Timeline of the Davey Lopes Recreation Center Pool Controversy
July 2nd, 2013
Taveras Admin's Decision to close pool called Political and Racist
Race:
“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 Ray Rickman.
July 2nd, 2013
Taveras Admin's Decision to close pool called Political and Racist
Politics:
Councilman Kevin Jackson: “I'll tell you what I know. Our rec (recreation center) directors who run summer camps usually put together list of teens to work at these camps, to work at water parks. They were told that kids who put down they were in the district of any one of the council members who voted against the budget would not be hired.”
July 9th, 2013
Youth Reaction
George Lindsey Jr. Age 13:
"It's been terrible since the pool's closed and it's been so hot. I've just been being in my house and sitting under the A/C. I go outside and play basketball, but then I come back in, because without the pool there's nothing else to do.
Being outside is just aggravating. People get into fights and stuff, but I don't want to get involved in that. What I wish I could do is go to the pool. But we can't anymore since it's closed down."
July 13th, 2013
City Report on Pool
A report on Providence recreation written by a Mayoral Fellow to Angel Taveras – which was leaked to GoLocalProv -- showed that the city administration ignored its own commissioned analysis, while it has systematically reduced recreation services, notably the closing of city pools.
The report, drafted for the City by fellow Matthew Kramer, was presented to key members of the Taveras administration in August of 2011, and made strong recommendations about improving existing recreation infrastructure and expanding programs for city youth.
In July, the City of Providence has reportedly wrote up Davey Lopes Recreation Center Director George Lindsey following several stories which saw members of the community speaking out to express their concerns for the lack of swimming options during the recent heart wave, with the closing of the Davey Lopes pool coming on the heels of the shuttering of the Joslin Recreation Center pool last year.
July 15th, 2013
Rep. Williams Calls on Taveras to Open Pool
Representative Anastasia P. Williams (D), who has represented District 9 in Providence since 1992, sent an official letter to Mayor Taveras calling for a "practical solution" to addressing the closure of the Davey Lopes pool in South Providence.
"How can you isolate kids like this, and not let them swim. I just think that's improper. These are young impressionable kids, who making friends at the pools, spending time with their families. What's better than that?"
July 16th, 2013
Council Statements: Councilman Kevin Jackson
"We need to make sure this doesn't happen again. I believe the City knew what they were going to do, and just didn't reach out to us to give us enough time or options."
July 16th, 2013
Councilwoman Carmen Castillo
"I've reached out to [Councilman Sanchez] to work with him on this. I want to work with him to find out more about what can be done to reopen the pool."
July 16th, 2013
Councilman Nicholas Narducci
"I don't think we should be closing any recreational opportunities for kids right now. When you're having murders, violence, it's not time to cut the programs."
July 16th, 2013
Councilman Michael Correia
"Out of all honesty...this pool has been in this position for quite some time. The lower end had been used, but the deep end had been filled in. This isn't something that has happened over night. It's another piece of city property that's being neglected. Everyone should have gotten together sooner to address the issue in order the fix the issue, either it was overlooked, or neglected."
July 16th, 2013
Councilman Luis Aponte
"The city's attempts to close pools, or replace them with waterparks...it's about insurance, liability. It's not lost on us."
July 16th, 2013
Councilman Davian Sanchez
"At our rally, we got a petition with over 300 signatures to keep the pool open. Since then, I've got a lot of phone calls, and they've all been positive. Most of the council supports this. State reps and senators have come out in support of this. And it's being held up by one person...the mayor."
July 16th, 2013
Councilman Samuel Zurier
"I have no comment. I don't have enough information at this point."
July 29th, 2013
ACLU Letter
A letter sent to the ACLU of Rhode Island by Providence City Council candidate Anthony Sionni claimed that the City of Providence violated its charter because "city residents have been denied the right to petition the Recreational Advisory Board as provided by the City Charter because that board is not presently in existence."
Providence City Councilman Davian Sanchez announced Thursday that several minority contractor associations in Providence are "willing to provide the complete the necessary repairs" of the Davey Lopes pool that was the center of controversy this summer when closed.
Elected officials, neighborhood leaders, and community supporters turned out Monday morning at Davey Lopes Recreation Center in South Providence in support of keeping the center pool open, with the aid of contractors offering free labor to fix the pool -- which City Councilman Davian Sanchez said he was told by the Mayor's office would be cemented if he didn't vote for the budget.
"I was told by an aide of the Mayor -- who was just a messenger -- that if I didn't vote for the budget, the pool would be closed, and ultimately cemented," said Sanchez.
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