For Release: June 25, 1997

Contact: Robert Sutton 277-2776

Stephanie Powell 277-2771 ext. 4418

PROVIDENCE - On the heels of opening its new pavilion at Roger W. Wheeler State Beach in Narragansett Saturday, the RI Department of Environmental Management announced today that it plans major reconstruction at Misquamicut State Beach in Westerly.

A mile from the Connecticut border, the beach serves both Rhode Island and Connecticut residents and is a major Rhode Island tourist attraction. Last summer, nearly 175,000 people visited Misquamicut, which had annual revenue from parking entrance fees of more than $325,000.

"We will begin design work this fall, advertise for bids in the spring, and begin construction in the fall of 1998," said Governor Lincoln Almond. "The new pavilion at Misquamicut, which will complete our renewal of south shore facilities, will open for the 1999 beach season."

"Misquamicut State Beach is important to Westerly residents and it is the gateway to Rhode Island beaches," said Sen. Dennis Algiere of Westerly. "For thousands of visitors from western and central Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York, as well as Connecticut, it is their first impression of Rhode Island,and can be the difference between whether they stay or not. I am very pleased that reconstruction funds were included in the Governor's budget that was recently passed by the legislature."

Reconstruction of the recently completed Roger Wheeler State Beach was primarily funded with the last of the recreational bond funds approved by Rhode Island voters.

"Now we are moving into a pay-as-you go phase encouraged by Governor Almond and the legislature, and construction of Misquamicut will be done with funds provided in the Governor's Delaware Plan Capital Fund Initiative, an asset protection program using state revenue for capital improvements over the next three years," said Frederick Vincent, Acting Director of DEM.

"And Misquamicut," he added, "needs attention." The existing Misquamicut beach building is located along the dune line, common for facilities build during the 1950's. In the early 1990's it was hit by two major storms. Severe beach erosion caused by Hurricane Bob resulted in a 10-foot drop in elevation at the building beach face, necessitating extensive beach filling.

The new pavilion will be built away from the beach and storm surge area. It will include concessions, lifeguard and first-aid stations, changing rooms, and restrooms. The existing Clivus Multrum composting sanitary disposal system will be relocated and reused. Improvements to the parking area will include drainage, regrading, resurfacing, and landscaping, and all overhead utilities will be relocated to outside the parking area along Atlantic Avenue.

Including design, cost for the pavilion is anticipated to be approximately $1.5M - $1.7M, and the parking area approximately $700,000 - $900,000.

ADEM is doing all we can to make sure that the residents of Rhode Island and the thousands of tourists who visit and revisit the state year after year have the recreational facilities they want and deserve," Vincent added.

"In addition to improvements to the south shore beaches - East Matunuck, Salty Brine, Scarborough, and Roger Wheeler, we have made major improvements to Goddard State Park, rebuilt the seawall at Colt State Park, opened the fort at Ft. Adams to the public after structural improvements, and constructed an Estuarine Sanctuary Research Facility on Prudence Island that contains educational scientific laboratory facilities. Additionally, since 1988 we have awarded $2 million in grants yearly to Rhode Island cities and towns for recreational improvements," Vincent said.

"Right now we are fixing the dam at Lincoln Woods that will improve the swimming area, we are upgrading the fishing piers in Galilee and Newport, we are doing engineering work as the first step of a plan to improve the swimming area at World War II State Park, and we are about to go out to bid on the Blackstone Bike Path," he added.

A photo display of DEM's recreational projects was a focal point at the Roger Wheeler Beach opening celebration Saturday. Governor Lincoln Almond proclaimed last Saturday Roger W. Wheeler Day in Rhode Island, and declared the beach free to all on that date. In addition to speeches by Governor Almond, Joanne Hamilton, granddaughter of Roger Wheeler for whom the beach was named, and Vincent, events included seining and a sand castle contest with prizes awarded in four age categories. The first 500 children entering the beach were given sand pails donated by the American Plastics Council made from recycled plastic, and an additional 300 children were given free Earth Day water bottles.

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