BUSINESS BUZZ
STAYCATION
destination by Sean McCarthy
With a celebrational ribbon-cutting ceremony in June, the revitalization of the Swansea Town Beach took a significant first step. But the journey has only begun – further development for the scenic oceanside location is in the works, with the aim of designing and creating a revenue-enhancing destination for residents and out-of-towners alike. Ten years after its formation, the Swansea Waterfront Revitalization Committee (WRC) realized the first major piece of its master plan for the resuscitation of its Town Beach: the construction of a Lifeguard’s Bathhouse with outdoor showers and a spacious deck, a new playground, 25,000 yards of new sand that was dredged from the Cole River Channel, and improvements to its parking lot. Enhanced by a $1 million grant from the state’s Seaport Economic Council, the newly completed amenities are the first step in a plan that will require additional grants and town funding to continue work. However, the town anticipates seeing returns on its investments. “The town can take great pride in enriching this hidden jewel,” says Fairhaven-based architect Stephen
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Kelleher, whose firm spearheaded the design of the new facilities. “It’s been a
"Whether you want to meet with a friend for coffee, or have a picnic with your family, it's a little gem" major accomplishment maintaining the natural beauty of a special place and transforming it into a new, vibrant beach and recreation area for the town.”
September 2021 | The South Coast Insider
The improvements include a new playground which was funded by the Munro family of Swansea. “We’re very happy with the way the project came out – it was very needed,” says Colleen Brown, Swansea Conservation Agent and a member of the WRC. “It looks great, it’s a good fit for the site, and people really seem to be enjoying it.” Brown says that the town has sold approximately 1,000 day passes since the opening of the new facilities.
Swiss army beach
According to Swansea Town Administrator Mallory Aronstein, the beach is now a location that can be utilized in an array of capacities. “Whether you want to meet with a friend for coffee, or have a picnic with your family, it’s a little gem – a quiet
