A ceremony marking the opening of the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) swimming pool on Carter Street will take place this Friday, June 20, at 11a.m.  State and local officials will attend the ribbon cutting for the new Vietnam Veterans Memorial Pool.  Representative Eugene O’Flaherty, who has championed the construction of the new pool with the assistance of Representative Kathi-Anne Reinstein, said the pool will be open to swimmers, and encourages kids and their families to attend the event. 
 “We’ve all waited for many years for this important community project to get funded, scheduled and constructed.  That day has arrived, and I am so happy to encourage all of Chelsea to join us for a first look at, and dip in, our new pool,” said O’Flaherty.
The new $5 million pool actually features two pools, which are both “beach entry” walk-ins.  One pool drops to a depth of 18 inchesfor tots, while the other gradually declines to 5 feet and allows for lap swimming.  There are a variety of water sprinklers to add to the fun.  The pool house has been repositioned to parallel the Carter Street off-ramp to provide some screening between ramp traffic and those in the pool.  Seating areas also allow for comfort when visitors are out of the pool. 
 “It looks great,” beamed Rep. Reinstein.  “With school out and the hot weather upon us, it will be a terrific recreational resource for our kids.”
Early indications are that DCR will keep the pool open until 7 p.m., one hour later than the traditional pool closing times.  City Manager Jay Ash said conversations continue with the state to have even later closing hours several days during the week.
 “The state has been terrific about talking to us in regards to our local programming needs.  Rep. O’Flaherty and Rep. Reinstein, and now Senator [Anthony] Galluccio, have all been advocating for longer pool hours so that families could especially have the chance to come to the pool some weeknights.  We are working through some issues regarding that, and hope to be able to announce even better news about our new pool and its hours shortly,” said Ash.
The pool is located adjacent to Chelsea High School.  Limited parking is available on-site, with additional parking and a convenient walkway available at the Carter Park parking lot.