Budlong Pool complex finally under way after “unnecessary rhetoric”: Cranston Mayor Hopkins

Construction of the new Budlong Pool underway 

Mayor Kenneth J. Hopkins today announced that demolition and construction work has begun for “a safe and modern” new Budlong Pool facility for Cranston families to enjoy for decades to come.

“I am pleased to say that city’s Public Works Department employees have begun the initial demolition work for a new 8,000 square foot Budlong pool,” Hopkins said. “Their participation in this first phase will lead the way for Vantage Construction to undertake the main work on the new pool complex.”

Hopkins explained that the initial bids received by the Board of Contract and Purchase exceeded the $4.7 million available for the new pool and bath house.  

“We went back and value-engineered the project and came up with significant savings to bring the cost of the new pool down to available resources,” explained Hopkins.

Prolonged delays and political posturing

The mayor noted that the funds for the pool include $4 million for ARPA funds and $750,000 from congressional support. The mayor said the long-drawn-out discussion and political posturing by some delayed the actual construction start for the new pool. Hopkins said unnecessary rhetoric and prolonged questions and stall tactics delayed the project.  

“I was confounded that some opponents could not understand that we only had $4.7 million available for the pool complex,” the mayor said. “We are building the largest pool possible with the funds that the city council allotted for this project. Replacement or renovation of the existing 1930’s pool for that amount was not possible as it called for a much larger pool design that far exceeded the budget allowed.”

“I am pleased that our final plans will introduce a dynamic new pool design and give Cranston families a new, safe pool complex, handicapped accessible, that meets current health and building codes,” Hopkins said. “At the end of the day, most Cranston residents will love the new Budlong Pool and appreciate the pro-taxpayer approach I took in addressing a project that had been neglected long before I was mayor.” 

“When I took office, the city was left with a pool in disrepair and a pool house that was in a deplorable condition with no ADA accessibility and laced with hazardous construction materials,” Hopkins concluded. “Families and children will get a new pool they all deserve and one that will last for decades to come.”