The pool at East Providence High School has long been a resource to the com-munity. The pool is used by students in swim classes, the swim team, and commu-nity swim lessons. It has been in use for so long that we have never really wondered what would happen if we could not use the pool any longer. Since the beginning of this year, however, the pool has been out of commission due to a large crack in its foun-dation.
Mr. Gorham, EPHS swim coach, first spotted the crack early last summer. “The tile was cracking,” Mr. Gorham stated, “but during the second week of swim classes, we noticed it began to seep through the founda-tion.”
This is not the first time the pool has cracked. “It cracked twenty years ago,” Mr. Gorham stated. “As the building continues to settle, the crack continued to open up. It opened eleven feet and went through three feet of concrete.” Consid-ering that the pool is around fifty eight years old, there is no doubt that eventually the pool?s tiles would begin to wear down. As Mr. Gorham said, “There was really nothing we could do to prevent this.”
For students whose activities use the pool, such as the swim team, the pool?s crack has be-come a hindrance. The swim team?s use of the pool for their training is vital, and ever since the pool has been put out of business, the swim team has been put out of the pool.
“My training has been cut short,” said Steven Young, member of the EPHS swim team. “We have less training, which we need.”
Consequently, the pool?s out of order status has not only caused a dilemma for the high school, but for other patrons who rent out our pool as well. “From 7:30 in the morning to 9:00 at night, the pool?s con-stantly being used,” Mr. Gorham said. “We rent out pool space to Little Rhody Aquatic Club, Providence Country Day and Bay View Academy.” Considering how long the pool has been cracked – since near the begin-ning of the year to the end of November – that is quite a long time for these patrons, and our students, to go without the pool?s services.
Some students who are not fond of swim – especially the underclassmen who are re-quired to take swim class – would say that this is for the best. Mr. Gorham however states that the pool is something that many students have fondly missed since its loss in early September.
“When we were outside, this wasn?t very big of a deal. But now, the gym is so crowded. There were a lot of people who were disap-pointed, because a lot of kids enjoy swim. If you?re one of those kids who do not enjoy athletics, swim was a nice change of pace.”
Thankfully, the pool was repaired and since Monday, November 22, it has been back in business. With any luck, it will con-tinue to service East Providence for many years to come.
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