After another brutal heatwave when another record temperature was set during a recent Sunday, many in Westbrook were reminded of 2022 being the third summer without a working outdoor pool. The decision not to repair the 40-year-old pool was a difficult, but wise one by the city, as the estimated $1 million-plus cost to repair it would have likely been only a short-term solution and a terrible waste of taxpayer dollars. Although the planning process for a new outdoor pool appears well underway, it will likely take many years to decide on a location, design, and – most importantly – funding sources.
Fortunately, despite the loss of the outdoor pool, the city was lucky to have a citizen-volunteer-led initiative obtain – after three years of attempts and numerous challenges – federal funding in the spring of 2019 for a significant upgrade to the Warren Outdoor Pool & Rec Area. This area in the heart of our downtown holds many memories for many in our community, including their first swim lessons, but it also is a hidden and untapped gem for many others.
The project was primarily undertaken to modernize the Warren area: adding amenities such as a splash pad, natural playground and pickleball courts – while updating and upgrading current features like the trails, entrance, lighting and accessibility. In the fall of 2016, a public survey about the project set a Westbrook record for responses – 610 – while over 60 letters of support from community and regional leaders, citizens, businesses and local organizations strongly and overwhelmingly backed the project, including the addition of a modern, efficient, and popular “splash pad” to the Warren Outdoor area.
As a member of both the Maine and National Recreation and Park Associations, as well as a recent Westbrook Recreation & Conservation commissioner attending nearly a dozen state, regional and national conferences over the last decade I know there is no hotter national trend in public rec & parks than installing splash pads in communities. A quick Google search will uncover countless success stories of these modern aquatic features across America – and the globe.
The spring 2019 funding for this project, however, now 3½ years past its awarding, has unfortunately become as difficult to utilize as it was to obtain in the first place. COVID, increasing project costs, and the confusing municipal and community discussions surrounding the cost-prohibitive repair bill of the outdoor pool and its unforeseen closure all contributed to delaying grant execution. Fortunately, with a little foresight, the city was able to obtain some additional funding towards this project, but is now in the 11th hour of risking losing this federal funding altogether.
Six years – a long time since this project was envisioned and planning commenced. With any luck, however, the citizens of Westbrook will soon be presented a plan by city leadership to finally execute this federal funding, and – among other long-overdue safety, esthetic and utilitarian upgrades to this hidden Outdoor Warren Recreational gem – give the Westbrook community and its families a modern, safe and cost-effective splash pad to cool off in during the dog days of summer while it awaits what will surely be a long, hotly-debated and costly process to replace the outdoor pool.
Phil Spiller Jr. is the past president of Discover Downtown Westbrook.
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