PROVIDENCE, R. I. -- If the Davey Lopes Recreation Center pool is in the same condition as last year, state Rep. Anastasia Williams and the Legislative Black and Latino Caucus can't see why it is closed this summer.
"The closing of the pool seems either arbitrary or politically motivated, neither of which is acceptable," she wrote Mayor Angel Taveras recently. Williams is chairwoman of the state Legislative Black and Latino Caucus.
Williams and the caucus join the relentless calls for the administration to reconsider.
Its other pools and water parks opened July 1, but the administration said it is permanently closing the South Providence pool for poor attendance and the cost to run and maintain it. The money was redirected to start a summer camp at Davey Lopes, and the administration says about 70 children are attending.
Taveras officials also say they are busing the kids to its Zuccolo Recreation Center pool every Tuesday for exclusive use, but last Tuesday, a Zuccolo official told a Journal photographer that the arrangement hasn't begun yet.
More than 200 people attended a rally in late June. City Council members, recreation directors, community leaders, Providence residents and neighborhood children have criticized the decision in calls to the mayor's office and media. And an online petition has begun.
Most recently, Councilman Terry Hassett says he and other council members are also freeing up money, including community development block grant funds, to pay for its repairs.
The letter from Williams -- written July 1, but given to The Journal Monday -- says it is the caucus's understanding that the city's public works officials "initially caused the damage to the pool and never returned to do the repairs, which leaves us to wonder if there was an ulterior motive there."
The letter also questions the average pool usage figures that say about 30 kids use the pool daily. Williams says given the outrage, the number seems "blatantly untrue."
Wrote Williams, "With all due respect, Mr. Mayor, it should not be necessary to remind you that recreational facilities in urban communities are often vitally important in providing needed activities that in turn deter mischievous and criminal activity."
After mentioning the city's recent rise in violence, she said the summer months are "when we see increased interaction among our youth," the letter said. "School is out for the summer, and with warmer temperatures comes and escalation of tempers."
A heat wave is projected for this week.