Cheshire Awarded Grant For Splash Pad, Community Pool Enhancements

CHESHIRE, CT — Cheshire has been awarded a $500,000 state grant for enhancements to the Cheshire Community Pool, Gov. Ned Lamont announced Friday.

The funding will enable the town to replace the indoor kiddie pool and to install an “exciting outdoor splash pad area,” according to officials.

The outdoor splash pad is envisioned to be located immediately adjacent to the western side of the pool structure and serve as an amenity of the Cheshire Community Pool.

“This is truly wonderful news,” Town Council Chairman Tim Slocum said. “It’s really the frosting on the cake for the Bartlem Park Project and the Community Pool. We know how much our residents are looking forward to this, I couldn’t be happier.”

The town will be retaining a design professional to complete the design with anticipated construction to begin in 2024, according to officials.

“Including a splash pad area was one of the most frequent requests we received during the Bartlem Park South community engagement process,” Town Manager Sean Kimball said. “We are thrilled to be adding this feature and replacing the indoor kiddie pool, at a significantly reduced cost to Town taxpayers. This project will be a great addition to the already exciting work underway in the park.”

Cheshire was among 60 Connecticut small towns to share in $24.5 million dollars in state funding earmarked by Lamont. The STEAP grant program is managed by the Office of Policy and Management to provide funding to small towns for economic development, community conservation, and quality-of-life capital projects.

“Our small towns are an integral part of what makes Connecticut such a special place to live and work,” Lamont said in a statement. “By working with them on these grants, the state can help get these vital projects completed so these towns can continue to grow, thrive, and attract businesses, while improving the quality of life for our residents.”