Providence celebrates renovations of Davey Lopes pool

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Providence celebrated the renovations made to the Davey Lopes pool in Providence on Wednesday.

Mayor Elorza joined with other local officials and community partners at noon for a ribbon cutting at the Davey Lopez Recreation Center. The 2022 summer water park and pool schedule was also announced.

The city announced all Providence water parks will open on Monday. All public pools in the city will open on July 5. Water parks and pools will be open Monday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.

Elorza closed the pool last year after the city learned the depth of the pool did not meet new state regulations. He expressed what the reopening of this pool will mean to the community.

“It is essential that we invest in the neighborhood spaces that bring our community together,” he said. “The Davey Lopes Recreation Center Pool is an important neighborhood institution, and it is exciting to bring it back to life in time for the summer with renewed swimming facilities and new public art.”

Back in 2013, the pool sparked controversy among residents as former Mayor Angel Taveras planned to cement it closed. Eight months later, private funds were collected to save the pool.