This upcoming spring will mark three years since Cranston’s Budlong Pool closed due to Covid-19.

The administration is looking to open the pool this summer, while keeping a close eye on fixing some of the pool’s bigger issues.

Budlong Pool that is 265 by 85 feet is one of the largest outdoor swimming pools in the country and was built in the 1940s during the Roosevelt era. Due to its age and use over the years, the pool has observable defects such as cracks in the decking and plumbing issues.

“I’m told that there is some seepage under the pool that releases water from the pool,” said Anthony Moretti, Chief of Staff.

Moretti said the pool is tired. The City will find out the extent of these problems this spring when they get the pool started and can see how operable it is. In the meantime, the administration is looking for ways to modernize and improve Budlong Pool.

The City pays between $100,000 and $150,000 to make the pool operable for a six to eight week period during the summer – it takes roughly $40,000 just to fill the pool with water. Budlong Pool opens in the beginning of July when kids are fresh out of school and closes in late August when students return to classes.

Before the pandemic, Budlong Pool sold roughly 350 season passes per season. For a fairly nominal fee, individuals could purchase a day pass or season pass to give them access to the pool, with a capacity of 1,200 people.

Moretti said the number of pool users is consistent to the numbers in years past. In the pool’s lifetime, however, the amount of people going to the pool has declined and is attributed to two factors: one, adolescents of driving age who have accessibility to a family vehicle now go to beaches which has detracted from the number of attendees. Two, more people have pools in their backyards, resulting in not needing a community pool pass.

The administration recognizes there are a disproportionate number of people using the pool versus the cost for the pool’s upkeep.

“It’s quite an expense for the number of people using the pool and the time periods,” Moretti said.

In order to address this concern, the City is in the early stages of looking at other ways for community members to cool off. There are thoughts of reducing the pool’s dimensions and appropriately resizing it to accommodate the number of people who use the pool. Improvements and modernizations will also help fit the pool to the City’s future needs.

The City is also proposes installing splash pads and has looked at the ones in Providence, East Providence and Pawtucket. It seems that splash pads are the new direction that cities and towns are taking.

While these ideas remain in the discussion phase with nothing tangible – aside from looking at the feasibility of including splash pads. In a recent interview Mayor Ken Hopkins said he wants to service the people who enjoy the pool while balancing cost.

Recognizing that Budlong Pool is important to Cranston families and the community, Moretti said the key is to look at ways to gain better efficiency in pool usage. The city is no intention of permanently closing the pool.