April 16, 2024

City Council Salutes Area Youth and Residents

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The Wednesday night East Providence City Council meeting was mostly spent honoring area students and community members for winning awards and for helping other people in need. "It was nice to see us praise so many people for positive things in our city," said at-large council member Tracy Capobianco.

The night started out with Mayor Tom Rose inviting the RI State Middle School State champion Wrestling team, Martin Middle School, to begin the Pledge of Allegiance. Most of the 39 member wrestling squad was in attendance to receive certificates from the council.

Also being honored for their Basketball Coaches versus Cancer tournament in which over $3,000. was raised for cancer research was the East Providence High School girls basketball team. The team has raised $15,000 over 8 years.

Mr. Tony Ottone of Riverside was acknowleged for his now famous snow sculptures on Forbes Street, garnering national news headlines. Mr. Carl Sweeney and his 'Hope and Faith Charity Food Drive' volunteers were honored as was 'Opportunity Knocks' another charity organization started by RMS teacher Michael Solitro. Local entrepreneur, engineer and fundraiser John Carnevale also addressed the council on plans to rehab portions of Pierce Stadium.

In a surprise, if not very welcomed announcement, it seems that the recently closed East Providence High School pool may get a second chance at life. The once majestic high school pool has been closed for a couple of years due to structural support problems beneath the pool. Ward 2 councilman Helder Cunha told school committee member Tony Ferreira that he was working on a plan to get the pool reopened. "I don't have all the details yet, but we'll be working on it soon," Cunha told the council and audience.

In an interview with the Reporter after the meeting, Cunha, a 1995 EPHS graduate, said that he was "working with a local pool company who thinks that they can get the pool fixed and opened. They can upgrade the pool and maybe convert it to a salt water pool, requiring less maintenance," said Cunha. "The company would probably take over maintenance and all the plumbing needs. Thet are a gunnite company and know how to deal with this type of issue," he added.

Cunha went on to say that the company "is a family owned business for some 30 years and there most likely wouldn't be any major cost to the city." The thought here is that the company will get the pool ready and control its scheduling. "I'm sure they will work it out with us to give high school activities priorities and then to rent out the pool privately beyond that," said Cunha. A similar venture had been in the works about a year ago but never came to fruition. Some estimates have ranged from a low of several hundred thousand dollars to $3 million for the structural repairs needed. Cunha seemed to think the work could be done for much less. Before the pool was closed by inspectors, thousands of dollars in new windows and lighting were expended in the pool area. Councilman Cunha anticipates coming forward with some preliminary planning by springtime. He has not yet discussed his plan with school officials. "We'll all meet soon and see what we can do," he said.

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