NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Congressman Troy Carter announced a $4 million federal appropriation to build a state-of-the-art, in-ground covered swimming pool in Algiers on Tuesday, June 18.
“After all these years, being able to put real money in a place to build a swimming pool in the community I grew up in, where communities of kids have never had a swimming pool, who, as I mentioned earlier, had to traverse the dangers of the Mississippi just to cool off or entertain themselves,” said Carter. “We know that’s not the right thing. We know many people have lost their lives doing so. Today, we provide an opportunity that demonstrates to young people that they matter.”
Rain or shine, through blazing heat or freezing temperatures, children will soon be able to swim at 6600 Belgrade St., where you can also find year-round water safety instructions, water aerobics for adults and seniors and recreational swimming.
“We’ve been working on this for 30 years or more,” said Pastor Brenda Charles. “We’re very excited that now the dream is coming alive. The children don’t have anything to do in the summertime, and then they get into the mischief. They’re going to be occupied. Their little minds are going to be going and they’re going to have so much fun.”
There isn’t an exact timeline as to when the facility will be finished, but Carter hopes it’s by next year.
“Well, the money is in place,” said Carter. “We hope to fast-track everything. Get in engineers and designers and contractors in place. My hope is that next summer you’ll be out here covering the first splash.”
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