Trumbull's Hillcrest Pool Could Get State Grant

Trumbull's Hillcrest School pool could be opened by Oct. 9, and more repairs made to the facilities if a state grant is approved today.

The 44-year-old pool has been mostly closed for the last six months but with the renovations it is expected to last another 20 years, said Trumbull Owner's Representative Al Barbarotta.

The Town Council also approved $33,600 for the pool. In the end, renovations could cost $1.2 million if fully funded.

For now, the pool is getting a new ventilation system and ceiling and a paint job, in addition to new equipment.

But some items still need replacing or repairing, such as locker rooms, showers and windows.

If it opens Oct. 9, a temporary ventilation system will be in place. The pool needs to be "clean, safe and usable" to pass inspection.

The opening apparently could not come at a better time.

"Pisces is dying without that pool and seniors are dying without that pool," said a member of the Board of Education, as Barbarotta updated the school board on construction progress Tuesday night.

A member of the Trumbull High School girls swim team told the school board the swim team has been inconvenienced without the pool, practicing at the University of Bridgeport instead. Lately the team has been swimming there from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

All the team's meets are scheduled away because of pool repairs, she added.

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Additional State Bonding

Nearly $125,000 in state funding could cover disabled access equipment and other items, including replacing the diving boards, starting blocks and life guard chair and clean and re-grout the entire pool, said State Sen. Anthony Musto.

"This new bonding is in addition to $375,000 in state funds which have previously been allocated to the pool, bringing the state’s total contribution to the project to nearly half a million dollars," Musto said. 

“The Hillcrest pool is about 45 years old, and it is heavily relied on not only by students but by community groups and parents and toddlers seeking recreation and swim lessons and water safety instruction,” Musto added. “This is exactly the type of public, capital improvement investment that the state should be making for its citizens, and I am proud to have advocated on behalf of the people of Trumbull for this funding.”

For a link to the current State Bond Commission agenda, please visit:

http://www.ct.gov/opm/lib/opm/OCT_3_2012_AGENDA.pdf