Woonsocket Municipal Pool A Church Filled with Water

The pool at the former YMCA in Woonsocket. Valley Breeze Article

 

WOONSOCKET – Mayor Chris Beauchamp says officials are seemingly closing in on an agreement to take over the former YMCA pool as a city amenity.

“I think we’re good for an agreement,” he said.

Under the potential agreement, the city would take ownership of the building at 39 Federal St. from the YMCA, and the developer seeking to develop apartments would still do so.

 

The key, said Beauchamp, is to own the building, as it would make the city eligible for grant funding.

He envisions an outside source such as the Y running the pool.

The basic hang-up in these ongoing conversations is trying to figure out a reliable funding game plan going forward, said the mayor.

 

He said he plans to talk to the City Council about potentially putting some American Rescue Plan Act funding into basic repairs and cosmetic upgrades. He visited the pool about a week ago, he said, and it’s in great shape, despite needing some work such as new air compressors and a pump. The water, he said, was crystal clear, and it didn’t at all look like the pool hasn’t been used in a couple months.

 

While Beauchamp said he doesn’t necessarily need to break even with the pool, he would like to see some revenue, including memberships, paired with city money. There are plenty of swim lesson programs and open swim opportunities for the elderly, he said, and they’ve also talked to the Boys & Girls Club and YWCA about getting their members to sign up.

“We’ll see how it goes,” he said.

 

The task right now is to talk to staffs at other YMCAs about how they do memberships, part of a goal to get a good handle on everything, he said. A comedy fundraiser this Friday will hopefully bring a big boost, he said, and an online GoFundMe fundraiser is now exceeding $4,100.

 

“There are a number of people who think it’s worth saving, and so do I,” said the mayor.

The Woonsocket Whalers will hold their comedy fundraiser for the Woonsocket YMCA swimming pool this Friday, May 10, at the Cumberland Public Safety Union Hall, 7 Cray St., Cumberland. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m.

The show will feature local comedians, a cash bar, raffles, 50/50 drawing, and auctions. Bring your own snacks. This is an 18-plus event.

Tickets are $25. To purchase tickets, donate or sponsor, visit funny4funds.com/events. For more information, call Ami CinqMars at 401-318-0945.