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NEW: Health Concerns Close Pools, Providence Fails to Disclose

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

GoLocalProv News Team

Davey Lopes is just one of the pools that was closed for "maintenance" issues, following concerns arising at city pools.

The head of Providence's Pool Commission has said the city had been looking into potential health issues at the public pools, prior to the city closing its public swimming pools early.

"I don't all know the details, but here's what I know happened," said Deborah Schimberg, Chairwoman of the Providence Pools Commission. "[Pools expert] Judith Lebline Josephs came down and spent the day with the rec directors and [Department of Recreation Director Michael] Stephens. On that day they were at Nuetaconkanut, and I understand that the Health Department came to [look at why] the water was cloudy, and I think they still don't know what's wrong."

"From my understanding, Judith said to send it to a lab -- I think the last thing they thought it was painted with the wrong paint, and there was a reaction with the chlorine, and it was breaking down," continued Schimberg.

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"What I don't know is this a different paint, and if so why did they change the paint," said Schimberg. "I don't know when they painted last, I don't know where the problem emerged exactly, I know they do paint some things every year."

Closing City Pools

Davey Lopes had been drained and shuttered back in 2013, before reopening in 2014.

"They're definitely all closed-- I spoke yesterday with [Stephens]. He said the worst one was Neutaconkanut, but based on the experience there and it was happening at some other pools they decided to close them down for health and safety reasons," said Schimberg.

The Mayor's office did not respond to request for comment on Wednesday.

"With something like this, it's evidence the degree we need to think about the pools long before next June. What oftentimes happens is they're an after-thought -- actuall, they're not a thought -- until June, when we just try and fix a few thing," said Schimberg.

"From my perspective from meeting with them, everything that goes wrong falls in Mike Stephens lap -- the pools are under the purview of two different departments, and Stephens had to make the call to call to close the pools for health and safety reasons," said Schimberg. "i think they could have publicized the arrangements better but having said that, he's dealing with the repercussions from a different department he doesn't oversee."

There's just been so much neglect -- thankfully it didn't happen in July," said Schimberg. "They were supposed to be open this week. They have to be safe, and they have to be not put swimmers at risk."

Related Slideshow: Timeline of the Davey Lopes Recreation Center Pool Controversy

The controversy surrounding the Joslin Recreation Center Pool closure is just the latest city pool issue involving the Taveras administration. The pool at the Davey Lopes Recreation Center has been a highly contested issue since its closure in July of 2013.

July 2nd, 2013

Taveras Admin's Decision to close pool called Political and Racist

Race:

“This is a class issue and a race issue. I'm angry and I've been this way for years. This administration (Taveras) is making it worse. We have them turning all the pools into what they're calling "safe pools," three and four feet deep--a swimmer can no longer use them,” said former State Representative Ray Rickman.

July 2nd, 2013

Taveras Admin's Decision to close pool called Political and Racist

Politics:

Councilman Kevin Jackson: “I'll tell you what I know. Our rec (recreation center) directors who run summer camps usually put together list of teens to work at these camps, to work at water parks. They were told that kids who put down they were in the district of any one of the council members who voted against the budget would not be hired.”

July 9th, 2013

Youth Reaction

George Lindsey Jr. Age 13:

"It's been terrible since the pool's closed and it's been so hot. I've just been being in my house and sitting under the A/C. I go outside and play basketball, but then I come back in, because without the pool there's nothing else to do.

Being outside is just aggravating. People get into fights and stuff, but I don't want to get involved in that. What I wish I could do is go to the pool. But we can't anymore since it's closed down."

July 13th, 2013

City Report on Pool

A report on Providence recreation written by a Mayoral Fellow to Angel Taveras – which was leaked to GoLocalProv -- showed that the city administration ignored its own commissioned analysis, while it has systematically reduced recreation services, notably the closing of city pools.

The report, drafted for the City by fellow Matthew Kramer, was presented to key members of the Taveras administration in August of 2011, and made strong recommendations about improving existing recreation infrastructure and expanding programs for city youth.

Read more GoLocal Prov coverage here.

July 15th, 2013

Crackdown on Employees Speaking About Pools

In July, the City of Providence has reportedly wrote up Davey Lopes Recreation Center Director George Lindsey following several stories which saw members of the community speaking out to express their concerns for the lack of swimming options during the recent heart wave, with the closing of the Davey Lopes pool coming on the heels of the shuttering of the Joslin Recreation Center pool last year.

July 15th, 2013

Rep. Williams Calls on Taveras to Open Pool

Representative Anastasia P. Williams (D), who has represented District 9 in Providence since 1992, sent an official letter to Mayor Taveras calling for a "practical solution" to addressing the closure of the Davey Lopes pool in South Providence.

Read the Letter here

July 16th, 2013

Council Statements: Councilman Terrence Hassett

"How can you isolate kids like this, and not let them swim. I just think that's improper. These are young impressionable kids, who making friends at the pools, spending time with their families. What's better than that?"

July 16th, 2013

Council Statements: Councilman Kevin Jackson

"We need to make sure this doesn't happen again. I believe the City knew what they were going to do, and just didn't reach out to us to give us enough time or options."

July 16th, 2013

Councilwoman Carmen Castillo

"I've reached out to [Councilman Sanchez] to work with him on this. I want to work with him to find out more about what can be done to reopen the pool."

July 16th, 2013

Councilman Nicholas Narducci

"I don't think we should be closing any recreational opportunities for kids right now. When you're having murders, violence, it's not time to cut the programs."

July 16th, 2013

Councilman Michael Correia

"Out of all honesty...this pool has been in this position for quite some time. The lower end had been used, but the deep end had been filled in. This isn't something that has happened over night. It's another piece of city property that's being neglected. Everyone should have gotten together sooner to address the issue in order the fix the issue, either it was overlooked, or neglected."

July 16th, 2013

Councilman Luis Aponte

"The city's attempts to close pools, or replace them with waterparks...it's about insurance, liability. It's not lost on us."

July 16th, 2013

Councilman Davian Sanchez

"At our rally, we got a petition with over 300 signatures to keep the pool open. Since then, I've got a lot of phone calls, and they've all been positive. Most of the council supports this. State reps and senators have come out in support of this. And it's being held up by one person...the mayor."

July 16th, 2013

Councilman Samuel Zurier

"I have no comment. I don't have enough information at this point."

July 29th, 2013

ACLU Letter

A letter sent to the ACLU of Rhode Island by Providence City Council candidate Anthony Sionni claimed that the City of Providence violated its charter because "city residents have been denied the right to petition the Recreational Advisory Board as provided by the City Charter because that board is not presently in existence."

Read the letter here

October 18th, 2013

Contractors Offer to Repair Davey Lopes Pool

Providence City Councilman Davian Sanchez announced Thursday that several minority contractor associations in Providence are "willing to provide the complete the necessary repairs" of the Davey Lopes pool that was the center of controversy this summer when closed.

Read more GoLocal Prov coverage here

October 21st, 2013

Sanchez: Taveras Threatened to Cement Over Pool

Elected officials, neighborhood leaders, and community supporters turned out Monday morning at Davey Lopes Recreation Center in South Providence in support of keeping the center pool open, with the aid of contractors offering free labor to fix the pool -- which City Councilman Davian Sanchez said he was told by the Mayor's office would be cemented if he didn't vote for the budget.

"I was told by an aide of the Mayor -- who was just a messenger -- that if I didn't vote for the budget, the pool would be closed, and ultimately cemented," said Sanchez.

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