SAVE OUR POOL Rally

Riley O’Connell Announces SAVE OUR POOL Rally

(WALLINGFORD, Connecticut) — In cooperation with the Wallingford Democratic Town Committee, Riley O’Connell, Democratic candidate for Mayor of Wallingford, has announced the upcoming Save Our Pool Rally, to be held June 5 (at 1PM) at the Wallingford Community Pool, at 739 North Main St Ext, Wallingford.

Once the largest outdoor concrete pool in the country, forty years of neglect from the current Republican administration has left the pool in dire condition. Against the bipartisan wishes of the Town Council, this important community center remains closed and in desperate need of refurbishment for the second year in a row.

“Growing up in Wallingford, I remember going to the pool as a kid,” said O’Connell. “The pool was a great place for young families and seniors alike. It brought businesses and people, and gave us a sense of community. I’m deeply disappointed our current mayor doesn’t recognize its importance—economic and otherwise—to the town.”

First opened in the 1950s, the pool embodies the civic investment so critical to driving growth in Wallingford. Over the first decade of its existence, Wallingford’s population nearly doubled as young families were drawn to the town, driving down the tax burden for residents and bringing new economic activity.

“Investing in the families and seniors of Wallingford should be an obvious priority,” said Wallingford DTC Chair Alida Cella. “The current mayor clearly doesn’t care about the young families, teenagers, and seniors who rely on important town services like the pool. He’s had almost forty years to demonstrate he’s interested in investing in our future, with nothing to show for it.”

As Connecticut emerges from the pandemic and demand for recreation and amenities like the pool skyrockets, Wallingford risks being left behind by the current administration’s disinterest in the future. Riley O’Connell represents an opportunity to move past the failed status quo, and fight for our future.