For Immediate Release Contact: Wendy Fox

June 26, 2007 617-626-1453

STATE CELEBRATES GROUNDBREAKING FOR NEW POOL IN CHELSEA

CHELSEA—Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Commissioner Richard K. Sullivan, Jr. joined State Senator Jarrett T. Barrios, State Representative Kathi-Anne Reinstein, State Representative Eugene L. O’Flaherty and municipal officials today for a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the new Vietnam Veterans Memorial Pool in Chelsea. The $6 million project is scheduled to be completed by late June of 2008.

“Public pools are a place for people to engage with their community and in summer they often become the center of the community,” said Commissioner Sullivan. “On a hot day like today, it’s easy to understand the importance of quality aquatic recreation facilities for urban communities in the Commonwealth.”

Chelsea’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial Pool was originally built in 1968 and had been closed since 2001 because of structural problems. The old single pool and bathhouse will be replaced with a tot pool and a main pool with family friendly features including an accessible zero-depth entry with water displays and an area for lap swimming. The pool decks will incorporate both shade shelters and benches.

The bathhouse will include locker rooms for men and women (changing areas, bathrooms and showers). Two family restrooms will be located near the tot pool and one family restroom will be located near the main pool. A separate filter room will contain all the pool filter and sterilization equipment.

“I want to applaud the Patrick Administration and DCR for moving ahead with this project because it will bring so much joy to the community of Chelsea,” said Senator Barrios.

“It’s been a long process and I’ll consider it complete once I can jump into a refreshing pool of water to cool off in the hot and humid days of summer,” said Representative O’Flaherty. “A groundbreaking eventually gives way to a completed project and I’m thankful to all my partners in government for bringing this project to fruition. The children and adults of Chelsea are getting a top of the line state recreation pool and I’m proud to have secured the funding. This is absolutely one of the greatest accomplishments of my years of service and I’m honored to bring this home.”

“It's great to be a part of the return of the pool to Chelsea's residents; the rebirth of the pool has been long overdue,” said Representative Reinstein.

Funding came from DCR and was transferred to the Department of Capital Asset Management (DCAM) for the project. The site will be managed by both DCR and DCAM. The design of the pool renovations was drafted by Bargmann Hendrie + Archetype, Inc., and the construction contract was awarded to Construction Dynamics Co., Inc. of Fitchburg. DCR worked closely with the City of Chelsea on design and planning for the new pool, which is expected to open in time for next year’s swimming season.

“The old pool was once the center of summertime activity in Chelsea,” said Chelsea City Manager Jay Ash, who was a regular pool attendee while growing up in Chelsea during the 1960s and 1970s. “Its closure has left a huge void in the recreational options of kids and their parents. That's why we couldn't be more pleased that the Patrick Administration has prioritized the project and has given us all something to look forward to next summer.”

It is part of DCR’s mission to provide safe, affordable, accessible recreation opportunities to Massachusetts residents and visitors. DCR operates 38 swimming pools in communities across the Commonwealth.

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