State Representative Joseph F. Wagner joined with Mayor Richard J. Kos today in announcing a state grant for the Ray Ash Park pool project. The $400,000 award, made possible through the Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) grant program, will support many important upgrades to the pool and its facilities. The City of Chicopee received the maximum award for municipalities with populations over 35,000.

“This grant will reimburse the city for a number of improvements to the Ray Ash Park pool facility,” said Representative Wagner. “The pool has provided many memorable summers for families and children over the years, and it is important that we get the pool up to a standard where Chicopee residents can continue to enjoy a safe facility.”

“We are grateful for the continued support of the State for our parks and pools which have been an avid component of the improvements our City has made over the years,” said Mayor Kos. “With the support of our City Council, we will begin to address our pool recreation needs in our City with proposed plans that provide for the construction of a new municipal pool in Chicopee for the first time in 50 years.”

The PARC Program, formerly known as the Urban Self-Help Program, was established in 1977 to assist municipalities in the acquisition of recreation land, development of new parks, or the renovation of existing parks. All awarded grants are made as a reimbursement for work completed by the municipality.

The Ray Ash Park project consists of a pool renovation that includes swimming lanes for lap swimmers and a zero depth beach-style entry on one end of the pool. The project will also add low spray features to create play spaces for younger children and a permanent pool lift for safe water access for the disabled. The bath houses will be renovated and a pool deck with shaded seating will be added.