Summer Splash

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MAKING A SPLASH: Making their first splash into the Budlong Pool on opening day this past Monday were Arthur Peters, Teddy Shackelford and James Lombert who are all classmates who will enter Cranston High School East next year.

CRYSTAL CLEAR WATER: Samantha Benevides enjoys her time with her daughter, Sophie Mangione, age 3, at the shallow end of the Budlong Pool. Although this was not Sophie’s first time at the pool, it was the first time she could touch the bottom.

GREETING COMMITTEE: Greeting swimmers of all ages on opening day of the Budlong Pool were (l-r) Mike Igoe (Maintenance Supervisor), Tony Liberatore (Director of Parks & Recreation), Ward 2 Councilman Paul McAuley, Mayor Allan Fung, Sam Fox (Head Lifeguard) and Matthew Malo (Maintenance Supervisor).

WAITING IN LINE: People of all ages showed up early for the opening of the Budlong Pool this past Monday at noon. The weather was overcast and cloudy earlier in the day yet cleared up to welcome the summer swimmers.

In a sure sign summer is here, Budlong Pool, located at 198 Aqueduct Road, opened this past Monday at noon. Mayor Allan Fung and Tony Liberatore (Director of Parks & Recreation) were on hand on a sunny day to greet the first swimmers to enjoy the fresh water.

The Budlong Pool has provided generations of Cranstonians with fond memories for decades. The pool has changed over the years, with shorter hours and no diving boards or slide, which many Cranston adults can recall. Yet the summer days of “hanging out” at the pool are far from over. It has always been a place to meet up with friends and cool off from the summer heat.

“I’m excited to kick off another season at our sparkling city gem known as the Budlong Pool. Every year, the pool is an oasis for residents and especially our children to stay cool and have fun making memories in a safe environment,” said Mayor Allan Fung.

This year, the pool is the beneficiary of continued investment by Mayor Fung’s administration. A new liner was installed this spring that will save the city thousands of dollars in annual maintenance costs. Additionally, new chairs were purchased for pool-goers to relax by the water.

The new liner will save $24,000 per year in maintenance costs.

“The new liner,” said Tony Liberatore, Director of Cranston Parks & Recreation, “costs $197,000 with a warranty of 30 years and will save us $720,000 in maintenance and repair over the life of the warranty.

Previously, crews had to repair the aging cement (cracks and chunks of cement that fell out) and powerwash the entire inside of the pool before applying two coats of paint every year. The new liner will allow them to just clean the pool normally every year. The liner, contracted by The Liner Shop, is industrial grade and like liners used in professional pools you’d find at a university or athletic venue.

Also purchased this year were new chaise lounges for people to sit around the pool.

The Budlong Pool holds 1 million gallons of water and is one of the largest public outdoor pools still in operation in America.

The city staffs maintain the pool, which is one of the largest outdoor swimming pools in the country with depths measuring from two to nine feet and is filled with approximately 1,100,000 of water. Pool hours are noon to 6 p.m. seven days a week. Seasonal Pool Passes can be bought at the pool house during regular pool hours. The pool will close for the season the third week of August.

At the Budlong Pool the emphasis is on safety in the crystal-clear pool and all lifeguards have been trained and certified and no corner of the pool is out of their sight. A total of 25 lifeguards are on staff on a rotating schedule.

Pool rates for Cranston residents are $50 for a Family Season Pass; $25 for an Individual Season Pass; $25 (Age 16); $20 for a Senior Season Pass (Age 55) and $3 for a Day Pass. The Budlong Pool will be closed July 4.

For additional information on the pool or swim lessons, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 401-780-6169 or visit its page on the city’s website, www.cranstonri.com. During the months of July and Aug., the pool may be contacted directly during its normal hours at 383-3105.