Summer has come to a close, but the city is already looking toward next year with the hopes of opening a splash pad near the Bain walking path and reopening Budlong Pool. According to Chief of Staff Anthony Moretti, groundbreaking for the splash pad could start in a matter of weeks and a conceptual design for Budlong Pool is already in the works.

Splash Pad

Director of Parks and Recreation Ray Tessaglia told City Council members on Aug. 26 that the splash pad vendor, Maron Construction Company, Inc., received the engineering component and design drawings. Maron Construction is based out of Providence and is a family-owned company with over 40 years in general contracting, design-build, green construction, construction management and historic preservation. Tessaglia received these documents (which include the layout and “bells and whistles”) earlier last Monday.

The splash pad will be 900 square feet and will take up to 30 users at one time. The facility cost comes to $311,333 and is paid for through the Federal Community Development Funds. There will be a lockable gate around the perimeter. Tessaglia said the city hopes to have the splash pad’s underground components and electrical components in the bath house all set in the winter. The underground water tank will hold 435 gallons of water which will be filtered and reused. Come early spring, the remaining “bells and whistles” for the splash pad will be added.

Tessaglia said the company is completing the overall project design that incorporates the aforementioned design, which will call for approvals along and permits. Tessaglia said the company will have more information for the city to review in the upcoming weeks.

“We do have October and November to get this done, so I’m confident it’s going to happen,” said Tessaglia.

Councilman John Donegan, whose ward the splash pad falls into, had added the topic to the Aug. 26 meeting’s docket.

“I know we were hopeful this was going to be open in the summer of 2022, that didn’t happen so I wanna make sure this is open next summer for residents to enjoy,” said Donegan.

Budlong Pool

The city is also taking steps to reopen Budlong Pool. A status update on the pool came about at September’s full city council meeting at the request of Councilwoman Aniece Germain.

“My constituents keep asking questions and emailing me about what’s going to happen next year,” said Germain.

Moretti said Director of Public Works Richard Bernardo contracted an architect (from a pre-qualified list of professional architects) to develop a conceptual design for the project as well as 3D models. Phase one of the plan is to get the pool open.

“There could be different phases down the road – such as splash pads and other facilities,” Moretti said.

However, at the present, the goal is to ensure the pool, bathhouse, showers and toilets are operable and meet state and local regulations.

“Time is passing and that’s why we wanted to act on this now and not wait,” Moretti said.

Moretti said they should hear back in a month or two about the conceptual design which costs $7,500. Funds for the conceptual design work come from the Public Works Department’s budget. Once the conceptual design is determined, Cranston will look to hire an engineer; estimated construction costs will be available in a month or so.

The city is still waiting to hear if they’ve received grant funding from the federal government to put toward revitalizing the pool. Several months ago the council also passed a resolution that calls for using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money for facility repairs. Moretti added that the city could consider using bond funding for the project. Out of the three sources of funding, he said the federal funds would benefit the city the greatest.

The city’s goal is to have the pool operable next summer – with the caution that things can come which cause delays. If all goes well, the city will have a bidding process and contract.

“The mayor is committed and determined to have the pool operable for enjoyment of the residents next summer,” Moretti said Friday.