Release: Limited Parking, Support Will Be Available As East Matunuck Rebuild Project Goes Ahead

PROVIDENCE - According to a press release issued today, The Department of Environmental Management has started a construction project at East Matunuck State Beach in South Kingstown to replace the 33 year-old public bathhouse with a handicap-accessible, LEED Silver-certified energy efficient facility.

Later this week the project contractor will post signs and fence off the construction site to prepare for demolition of the existing masonry bath house that was built in 1978.  Site work on the parking lot is slated to begin next week. The new facility will include improved boardwalks, a food concession area, hot showers, and an observation shelter, and is scheduled to open on Memorial Day 2012.

From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, limited public parking will be available daily at East Matunuck State Beach.  DEM’s Division of Planning and Development, which is overseeing the project, included the provision of the parking spaces as a condition in the construction contract. Approximately 350 spaces in the western portion of the beach parking lot will be available each day. The parking area located in front of the existing bathhouse will be closed for the summer while the building is being demolished and construction of the new facility takes place.

East Matunuck State Beach will remain open this summer and will be staffed with lifeguards and a park ranger.  Restroom facilities will be provided via port-a-johns, but patrons will not have access to changing facilities, showers, or food services.  DEM’s Division of Parks and Recreation is advising that beach patrons use the remaining nine state saltwater beaches or four freshwater beaches located within state parks during the construction period, due to the limited availability of parking and amenities.

 The new beach pavilion will include a 1,938 square-foot bathhouse building featuring both large and family-style restrooms, changing stalls, and hot showers.  The facility will also include a new 1,620 square-foot concession building with an office space, a first aid room, and a concession stand.  Public access and use of the facility will be enhanced by an expanded deck area that features open areas and covered shade areas.  The new facility will also include a new lifeguard tower, two ramps to access the beach, and one ramp to access the parking area.  Two cold shower areas will be located along the ramps that run from the beach to the bathhouse building. 

Much of the energy the new bathhouse uses for needs such as lighting, exhaust and circulation fans, and hot water for showers and flushing toilets will be provided on-site by the 10 kW, residential-scale wind turbine and solar hot water heaters on the roof of the building.  The facility will also incorporate new composting toilets, and extensive use of natural daylight and ventilation.  The existing septic system on site will be reused as the gray water system for the new composting toilets. 

The new East Matunuck State Beach facility was designed by a team led by Burgin Lambert Architects of Newport.  In addition, the design team includes Scituate Surveys, Blue Sky Engineering, Katherine Field Associates, Wil Yoder, DEM’s Division of Planning and Development, Robert Wilkinson, and Robert McClanaghan.  Pezzuco Construction, Inc. of Cranston has been awarded the construction contract. Funding for the $3.997 million project includes $475,000 from the National Park Service Land and Water Conservation Fund, $2.262 million from state bond funds, and $1.26 million from RI capital funds. The project is expected to be completed by Memorial Day 2012.