Opening day at the Budlong Pool has been a long-standing tradition for the old and young throughout Cranston and last week the pool opened on time, despite the threat of rain and thunderstorms. The sun was shining and the air was humid as parents and their children, along with teens and their friends, lined up on the steps of the pool house.

Among the crowd were Jim McCarthy and his 9-year-old daughter Olivia. McCarthy took the day out of his job at Rhode Island College in order to take Olivia to the pool for the opening of the season. They moved to Cranston last year and this will be the second season that Olivia will get to join in the sun and fun at Budlong.

“I like the pool,” said Olivia McCarthy, “You get to cool off.” She plans on spending as much time at the pool as possible and her dad seemed just as eager as she did.

Also patiently waiting for the pool to open was Joe Geremia, 14, a student at Bain Middle School. He was there with his friends to cool off and hang out for a day. Geremia had been coming to the pool since he was a baby and says he averages 102 trips to the pool per week.

The Budlong Pool, one of the largest outdoor swimming pools in the country, was built in the 1940s as a Worker’s Progress Administration project. Since that time the pool only closed for two seasons, once in 1955 due to a polio outbreak and again in 1996 for repairs and renovations.

This year the pool house appears much brighter; students from Jill Cyr’s Art Club at Cranston High School East provided artwork with the theme “Fruits and Suits” for the walls. Curtains have been added and next year Cranston High School West will be making its artistic contribution, according to Pool Director Denise Cipolla.

“This pool is the jewel of our city,” said Cipolla. “We want to get the families back in here and rejuvenate the Budlong Pool this season.”

Opening the pool, which is 265 feet by 85 feet, costs about $150,000 per season, but the pool had several donors help secure a “cool at the pool” summer for Cranston residents and nonresidents. Among those donating were from Randolph Savings Bank ($10,000), the Randolph Savings Peter T. Pastore Charitable Foundation ($1,000) and from the Washington Trust Charitable Foundation ($1,000). An additional donation of supplies was made by HTP Pool Chemicals.

“I am so grateful that we were able to open the pool this year,” said Mayor Allan Fung. “It was through the generosity of local businesses and some cut backs in different areas we were able to.”

Fung recalled his summers spent at the pool as a child and teen while growing up in the area. Getting fully into the spirit of things, he then “officially” opened the pool by jumping in – fully clothed in his business suit (minus his jacket and tie, and personal items in his pockets, which were held by an onlooker.)

Due to the financial status in Cranston, the Budlong Pool’s hours have been cut back and the fees for nonresidents have also risen. Day passes for the pool are $3 for Cranston residents and $6 for nonresidents. Individual season passes are $25 for Cranston residents and $50 for nonresidents. Family season passes are $50 for Cranston residents and $100 for nonresidents.

“We had to increase some fees and limit some hours,” said Mayor Fung, “but the Budlong Pool is up and fully operational.”

Special senior rates are also available and seniors can purchase a season pass for $20 ($35 for non-residents). The 2009 season will run eight weeks, through Aug. 21. The pool will be open seven days a week, weather permitting, from noon through 6 p.m.

The pool will be closed on July 4.

For more information about passes or the Budlong Pool, call 781-7477.