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Pools, they are a-changin’. Design follows function in Pawtucket to different ways people use pools.
As Pawtucket looks at their Veterans Memorial Pool in the Fairlawn area, the city held a public meeting to engage the community and exchange ideas. The meeting was also done on ZOOM. In-person attendees were only “2 or 3” according to the city. The ZOOM link provided by the consulting company is provided below.
A key concern with the pool is how to provide a pool for people who do not necessarily want to swim. They acknowledged the changing use of pools, and also the short season for outdoor use.
The assessment document included 3 levels of work that needs to be done.
- Health Code & Accessibility – bringing the facility up to code for ADA, includes out of code updates
- Recommended repairs – filtration system, cracks and leaks
- Opportunities for upgrading facility
Accessibility includes chair lift, entry gate, sloped entrances, coping inaccessibility were are mandated by federal code. The pool infrastructure – chemicals, motors, etc. all need to be updated.
The presentation included information on how changes in pool use are impacting changes in pool design. Accommodating people of all ages, multiple activities, shade, etc. Here is the initial design of the Budlong Pool in Cranston. The presentation, done by a different pool design company, echoed much of what was presented in Pawtucket.
Modern Amenities & Trends
Acknowledging how pool use is changing, the plans include wading pools, splash pads, outside of pool activities, covered areas for non-swimmers, noting “it is really hot out there” and shade is needed. The presenters noted trends happening in aquatics throughout the country. A pool touches all ages – from a one year old to a senior. Seeing multi-purpose, multi-zone pools – lap swimming, group exercise, teenage use, green (non-concrete) space, cabanas, around pool use for activities such as birthday parties were all mentioned. Splash pads were seen throughout the area, particularly in the northeast where weather limits the season severely. Pools “have a social aspect to them” – other amenities that address this are “significant focus” right now.
Process
The few attendees who were there were given paper dots to put on favorite choices of materials (brick vs. wood, vs. tile, i.e.) and other selections as well as features they would like to see incorporated. Here are some of the features being looked at for the pool.
RINewsToday is following the story of the Pawtucket Pool renovations – as part of our continuing series on community pools. Links to past stories:
Here is a link to all the stories on the Pawtucket Pool: https://rinewstoday.com/?s=pawtucket+pool
Here is a link to all the stories on Cranston’s Budlong Pool: https://rinewstoday.com/?s=budlong
This is a developing story
I’m laughing at these designs. To install one of these, it would have to be the size of Budlong.
I hope the residents remember that amenities add to the cost. They will require maintenance, an extra lifeguard or two, and more cleaning up of the area.
The residents need to decide how their pool is going to be used. If it’s for swimming or a quick dip on a hot day, have the pool brought up to standards and add some shade. Don’t be fooled by consultants. It’s their job to make money. You’re the people who are paying for this so how much do you want to be on the hook for?
(edited)