Boost for Sloper Pond dredging

Connecticut Representative Chris Poulos (D-Southington) helped secure a $500,000 grant for the remaining project cost required to dredge Sloper Pond, funding that was part of the new two-year state bipartisan budget he voted for and was adopted by the House of Representatives (139-12) early Tuesday.

The grant is through funding allocated to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).

Rep. Poulos said that he met with Southington Community YMCA CEO Mark Pooler in mid-March to tour Camp Sloper and learn about the dredging project. At that time, Pooler shared that the $3.6 million project was a little more than $500,000 short of funding.

“Camp Sloper is one of Southington’s gems. In my youth, as a camper, I spent hot summer days swimming in the pond – and as an adult I have enjoyed hiking with my family on the numerous trails the outdoor center offers to the public,” said Poulos.

“The dredging project has many positives. It’s an environmental remediation project, it’s a youth development project, and it’s a community pride project. I am grateful that the Democratic House leadership recognized the value of this community project.”

Camp Sloper serves more than 4,500 children each summer and over 10,000 additional visitors in the offseason.