After community delays, meetings, Cranston’s new Budlong Pool plans 2025 opening. Summer plans.

Mayor Kenneth J. Hopkins has announced an update on the Budlong Pool modernization as the city moves toward the receipt of formal bids to complete the planned upgrade and new pool experience for the community.

Hopkins stated in the past week a pre-bid conference was held – at the site – with interested pool installers, contractors, and trades people to review the scope of the planned project. 

“I was very pleased that we had several qualified and experienced parties who will hopefully be submitting a responsive proposal to our scope of work,” Hopkins said. “The purpose of the pre-bid conference was to allow parties direct access to the pool complex so that they can visualize what is called out and expected in the bid documents.”

The Mayor said written bids are due on March 5, 2024 to be submitted through the Board of Contract and Purchase. Interested parties have until February 16, 2024 to provide written questions on the scope of the work.  City representatives will then respond in writing and the answers will be shared with all interested parties.

Pool Opening 2025 – What’s in store for Summer 2024

“The planned modernization will soon break ground for a 2025 opening,” said Hopkins. “While our best efforts to see an opening this summer may be delayed, we will have planned a summer program and schedule of water related activities for Cranston families and children.”

The mayor emphasized his long-held belief, and that of other pool experts who looked at the condition of the pool as it stands today, that the Budlong Pool was way beyond repair. He “refused to employ another round of band aids” as has been done in prior years.  

Hopkins also noted that some construction funds will be provided through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. “As part of that funding process, our plans needed to be reviewed by the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission (“RIHPHC”),” Hopkins said.

Harking back to the WPA

In a letter to Cranston’s Community Development office, Jeffrey Emidy, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission noted the existing complex and its roots in the Works Progress Administration (“WPA”). 

Validating the engineer’s assessment that the pool structure was impractical to salvage, Hopkins noted that the RIHPHC staff concurred with his longstanding position that “retention of the current pool, or the replacement in kind, is neither prudent nor feasible.”

Hopkins stated that in consultation with the RIHPHC, the exterior of the pool house structure will be maintained (as long planned) and appropriate signage and educational markers will be utilized to celebrate and recognize the history of the complex built in the shadow of the Depression era of the United States.

For generations to follow, with remembrances of the past

“Cranston families and pool users will be able to enjoy a new, safe and functional pool with modern amenities.” he said, “But as we retain and refurbish the pool house, we will remember the birth of the complex that generations of families have used and appreciated.”  

Summer Swim/Rec Program planned

Mayor Hopkins said he has tasked the Department of Parks and Recreation with developing a comprehensive summer swimming and recreation program. “I appreciate the patience of the residents who traditionally enjoy the Budlong Pool facility,” he said. “While the pool usage is historically limited during the summer months, I have always supported the pool as a key component of our summer recreational program for Cranston youngsters and families.”

Politics follows the pool

Attending the pre-bid conference held at the pool was Councilman Robert Ferri (D), who has announced as candidate for Mayor, challenging Mayor Hopkins. Ferri came with a photographer and interjected with questions about proper draining of the pool, etc. A short time later the city received an inquiry from RI DEM about the draining process, and “promptly replied to the surprise call without issue” per a city spokesperson.

Cranston’s Budlong Pool has been closed since the pandemic, when it was shut down, as most group facilities were, but not maintained during that time. The pool, one of the largest public pools in the United States – larger than two Olympic sized pools, built as a WPA project, is a cornerstone feature of Cranston. However, pool behavior has changed over the years, with fewer families having the ability to spend a day at the local pool. Attendance has fallen to less than 200 on average in any one day, and sometimes far less. Its greatest attendance has come from the city’s Summer camp program, which buses children at the camps to the pool during the summer. A draft – though not the final version – has been circulated to bring the pool into contemporary use design. It includes a shaded area, a lap area, and necessary revisions to accommodate ADA mandates, including a sloped entry. The historic pool house will be renovated and maintained. Plans for a waterpark and other features have been discussed to surround the pool area, as well as a renovation or replacement of a basketball court area.