“Over the last 2 months I have walked the neighborhoods of the 6th ward and have had an opportunity to speak to many people about the closed Budlong Pool. Several points have been made abundantly clear to me:

• First, the Budlong Pool needs to be open as soon as possible. Kids and families should not be forced to suffer through another summer without a community pool, as the heat of the next week will make even more evident.
• Secondly, the people want the pool to remain at its original size and configuration. A tiny pool and a splash pad are not sufficient for Rhode Island’s second largest city.
• Lastly, they want the existing pool to be repaired and brought up to safety codes, so that our families and generations to come have a safe and inviting place to recreate on hot summer days.

Projections indicate that reopening the existing pool will cost significantly less than the Mayor’s proposed recreation center. I support the expeditious reopening of the pool, as my neighbors do, and I agree with the City Council that the project should be paid for using American Rescue Plan Act funds so that our taxpayers aren’t burdened with the expense. Political banter and excuses need to be set aside.”