One public pool reopens – one close to it – one stuck in cement

Warwick’s indoor McDermott Pool reopening is set for Monday.

After what the city has described as extensive repairs, the McDermott Pool will be reopened to the public. The reopening has been set for Monday, July 26th at 9am at 975 Sandy Lane in Warwick. Last time the pool was open was in March of 2020. 

Entry to the pool will be free to Warwick residents for one month starting Monday. The city will also honor pool passes that were unused due to the COVID-19 pandemic and closure of the pool.

A new modified reopening schedule and capacity limits will be announced on Monday.

The McDermott Pool is an indoor pool. At the end of June RINewsToday reported that the pool was not opening until repairs were made. The city explained those repairs as the pool needing a new motor and repairs to malfunctioning heating pipes. Lifeguard capacity was also noted as a problem.

On Monday, Mayor Frank Picozzi, and the Director of Parks and Recreation will be on hand at the reopening to answer questions on specifics regarding why the pool was initially shut down, and more on the repairs done to the pool.

Pawtucket Pool Status

The pool in the Fairlawn district is set to be opened soon, but missed a date thought to be as early as this past Sunday or Monday. Pawtucket Police and Firefightes are rushing to get fully Lifeguard certified to “open the pool for our community”.

Providence’s Davey Lopes Pool Status

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Local advocates who have contacted Mayor Elorza about the status of the pool renovations have said the mayor is not responding to their inquiries. A proposal to renovate has seen bids over half a million dollars be awarded for masonry and other repairs as well as an “area to be filled to raise depth” – though the city denied to RINewsToday that there were decreasing the depth of the pool to four feet across, making the pool less desirable for families and older adolescents and teens.

Rep. Williams & Sen. Mack’s response

Rep. Williams‘ original comment on the pool, in her district: “I have reached out to the City’s administration Department in charge of the Recreation Centers three days ago and have not heard back…They do to us what WE allow them to do to us, Year after Year we deal with the same summer issue and more”  Our children continuously pay the price and our communities deserve better.” She was asked for an update on efforts for the community to determine the status of the pool.” – On July 16th, in response to a Twitter request if Williams had been able to reach the Mayor, Williams responded: “Not a response at all as promised from the administration in charge. There’s no community outrage so it’s easier to shuffle the kids around n call it a great solution. Where r all the so called BIPOC leaders? Mmmm…..at the beach n on vacation…”

Sen. Mack’s only response to our request, “Thnk you for reaching out – I won’t have capacity to help with this story today. Feel free to reach out in the future”. RINewsToday reached out by text to her cell phone, per her request and received no response.

This is a developing story.