The Urban Renewal Project underway in the former Ward 4 resulted in the removal of the pool located at the triangular-shaped parcel formed by Lyman, Pine, and Prospect Street.
A plan was set in motion by the city to use 5.8 acres of Pulaski Park for a swimming pool replacement and the addition of two tennis and basketball courts. Tots and elderly areas would be added, along with a picnic pavilion, which was also under consideration.
In early 1975, Mayor William S. Taupier signed a contract with Reinhardt Associates, architects of Springfield, Mass., to design the Pulaski Park Recreational Area.
On December 24, 1975, the city received news that it would receive $280,000 from the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund to assist in funding this $560,000 park and pool project.
All was not smooth in getting this project off the ground. There were three failed attempts to secure a successful bid within the budget the city had established for this project. Finally, on October 19, 1976, a contract was signed with E. J. Pinney, general contractors of Springfield, to proceed with the work. The contracted price was $512,000.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 25, 1976, attended by Parks and Recreation Director, Roger Desroches, Mayor Ernest Proulx, the Chairman of the Holyoke Redevelopment Authority, Robert Zellan, and Ward 1 (formerly Ward 4) Alderman, William Pliska.
The tennis courts were ready for use in July 1977, and the swimming pool opened on July 30, 1977. The tennis courts were situated in the northwest portion of the park, adjacent to the American Legion Post 351.
The formal dedication of the park occurred on August 14, 1977. The park was officially named the Feldman Recreation Area, honoring the long history of George S. Feldman, a former Parks and Recreation Commissioner, who was instrumental in advancing the city's parks programs. Through George S. Feldman's contacts, many students, through their scholastic or athletic achievements, were able to attend college.
Mr. Feldman grew up on Fountain Street, a portion of which is now Saint Kolbe Drive, and Pulaski Park was his childhood playground.
The "L" shaped pool operated through 2005. Swimming competitions were held, as well as times set aside for adults and the elderly. It had a challenging history, as did many city pools, due to closures caused by city funding issues in 1989 and 1990, as well as vandalism. There were discussions in 1991 about closing down all the Holyoke pools. However, the city turned the operation of the Feldman pool over to the State of Massachusetts in 1991.
In 2005, the pool's water filtration and circulation system failed. Safety improvements would also be needed, along with replacing the bathhouse roof and making repairs to the tots' pool. The estimated cost of the work was $300,000. The pool was demolished in 2008.
The opening day ceremony for the Feldman Water Spray Park was held on August 20, 2009. A skate Park was constructed in 2014, and an adult fitness area in 2018.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican; publication dates and pages are shown.
Parks & Recreation Department, City of Holyoke, Massachusetts
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