NORWICH – Following a Common Council meeting earlier this month, it seemed that a lack of funding would keep the Kurt Beyer Pool closed for the second consecutive year, but recent donations from The Greater Norwich Foundation and other community efforts have presented a glimmer of hope that the pool could be up and running before summer.

The Greater Norwich Foundation has donated $40,000 for the purposes of restoring the pool in hopes of maintaining the quality of life for Norwich residents. “This is contingent, of course, on the project actually being done,” said Chairman of the Greater Norwich Foundation James Dunne in an email sent to Mayor Joseph Maiurano last week.

“The trustees of the Greater Norwich Foundation are taking this initiative because we see it as a way to improve life in the Norwich area. Although much of our effort presently goes to providing food, shelter, and hospital care, having an outdoor pool available during the summer is important too,” Dunne went on to say.

Funding from the Greater Norwich Foundation might be joined with other donations from the Roger Follet Foundation and the Robert C. Smith Foundation, explained Dunne. In all, he said he hopes that these funds will be able to provide the necessary amount to cover nearly half the cost of repairs, but he added that the Common Council should be accountable for providing the rest.