House Republican Press Release

March 3, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. Hovey Testifies in Favor of Wolfe Park Pool Renovations funding

State Representative DebraLee Hovey, R-112^th District, today urged members of the General Assembly’s Planning and Development Committee to support a $500,000 grant to help pay for the renovation and reconstruction of the  Wolfe Park Pool in Monroe.

The measure (Senate Bill 252) would provide a $500,000 Small Town Assistance Program (STEAP) grant to help fund a major renovation project that would enable the town “to continue providing needed relief for its citizens during the hot summer months,” Representative Hovey testified at a Planning and Development Committee public hearing on the bill today.

“In the past few years, Monroe has doubled in population and this added stress on our town’s recreational infrastructure is now showing,” Representative Hovey said, adding that the Wolfe Park Pool, one of the town’s prime recreational assets, “has been used by the community for the past 30 years and is showing its age.”

“The maintenance performed [by the town] is no longer sufficient to counter the wear and tear of everyday use,” Representative Hovey said. If the funding is approved and the renovation and reconstruction project goes forward as planned, the pool “would be able to accommodate a larger volume of residents.”

“Wolfe Park has long been an important resource for our community that gets a tremendous amount of use by all our citizens – young and old – and I would hate to see its capacity diminished,” Representative Hovey said.

The measure was introduced by Representative Hovey and state Senator Bill Finch, D-22^nd District.