South Providence Pool Reopens After 7 Years
Thursday, October 27, 2011
It may be the end of October, but that didn’t stop more than a dozen children from jumping into the swimming pool at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence South Side Clubhouse this past Saturday. For the first time in more than seven years, the 25-meter indoor pool was open for fun.
During a ceremony that included United States Congressman David Cicilline and Providence Mayor Angel Taveras, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence celebrated what the reopening of the pool – a true community resource – means to its members. To commemorate the occasion, the Club offered an open swim opportunity for members and their families.
Teaching an invaluable skill: swimming
“It’s been a long time since our members had access to this incredible resource, and we couldn’t be more excited about the opportunities it presents,” said Nicole Dufresne, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence. “Having an additional activity to go along with the wide range of those we already offer, particularly one that allows us to teach the invaluable life skill of swimming will make it even easier for us to strengthen the development of our members while providing a safe and positive environment.”
The South Side Clubhouse pool, which first opened in 1959, was closed in 2004 due to the need for extensive repairs, which included a new roof, filtration system, and improvements to the facility’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. But, thanks to the generosity of The Champlin Foundations and a City of Providence Community Development Block Grant, the pool has been completely renovated.
"An important resource for our community"
“The Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence has provided vital support to the children of our City for generations,” said Providence Mayor Angel Taveras. “As someone who lived in South Providence as a child, I understand the challenges that many of our young people face today. The pool at South Side Boys & Girls Club is an important resource for our community, and its reopening is an occasion that deserves to be celebrated.”
Throughout the morning, children and their families took pleasure in swimming in the area’s largest indoor pool; a telling indication of the benefits that the pool’s reopening provides the surrounding community. While the calendar is closer to December than it is to the hot summer months of July and August, Congressman Cicilline, who as Mayor of Providence played a crucial role in securing the Community Development Block Grant that helped fund the renovations, expressed his pleasure in seeing so many young people enjoy an opportunity that was previously unavailable.
"A home away from home..."
“For many years, the Boys and Girls Clubs have provided our youth with a home away from home and a safe, healthy environment in which to play, learn, and grow,” said Congressman David Cicilline. “This pool is a symbol of the city’s devotion to this goal, and after fighting hard as Mayor to secure funding for these renovations, it gives me enormous pleasure and pride to see it finally reopened.”
