Jun 27, 2009 5:51 pm US/Eastern
Budgets Mean Fewer Places To Splash This Summer
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
Finally. A swim-worthy Saturday.
Pam Tufts-Alexander was one of many who took advantage of an open public swimming pool.
"It got to be about 80, and we decided to go to a pool," she said, sitting on the edge of the state-run Bennett Field Pool in Worcester. "This was convenient. We were driving by and saw it was open."
But there are fewer places to splash this summer. As budgets have dried up, so have some local pools.
In Worcester, all nine city pools are closed for the season.
Worcester Public Works Commissioner Robert Moylan said two issues were in question -- the ability to staff the pools and to bring them to good working order. Moylan says each pool is at least 40 years old. Worcester does have four city beaches.
There are some other oases courtesy of the state department of conservation and recreation. While the
DCR has closed several state park swimming areas, it
opened all of its pools today, including two in Worcester.
Said DCR Commissioner Rick Sullivan, "This is a tough budget year, but the governor made it a priority we would have the state pools open. We know there's increased pressure as people give up vacations and stay close to home looking for recreation opportunities."
The DCR is working on a wheels-to-water program for kids in worcester, which will transport them from hot city neighborhoods to state swimming areas.
See full list of state beaches and pools
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