“This project was a difficult one,” Mayor Joseph Polisena told some 1,000 people Saturday during the official grand opening of the new Johnston Indoor Recreation Center. “I must also tell you that this was a very difficult site to even build an outhouse.”
So, Polisena, admitting he’s in no way an expert in construction but did have a vision to build something special for all Johnstonians, enlisted the expertise of a number of people who helped get the project done.
“Oh, did I mention that I harassed, nagged and bothered many people every day to get this project done,” Polisena said. “I have so many, many people to thank for making this facility a reality; it was indeed a labor of loved for everyone that played a part in getting this fantastic facility built.”
Polisena then praised “the expertise of Michael Mollicone, site supervisor for J. Vinagro, who paved the way at the one-time vacant lot at 1741 Atwood Avenue that is now the super showplace for what people are calling “The Jewel of Johnston.”
“Let’s face it,” Polisena said, “I am a mayor, nurse and professor. But I could not build a sandcastle at Scarborough Beach and that’s why I enlisted the help of so many great professionals who made unbelievable contributions for this project.”
Polisena told an attentive audience that he enlisted the help of Dennis DiPrete of DiPrete Engineering, Joe Vinagro Corporation, DeGregorio Corporation, Mike Sabitoni of the Laborers International, DPW Director Arnie Vecchione and Building Inspector Ben Nascenzi, just to name a new at the outset of the project.
Saturday, though, Polisena thanked – and boasted about – each and every person and his or her business that made the JIRC complex a reality and enhance the quality of life for all Johnstonians, just as was the case when the mayor used the first portion of an $8 million lawsuit settlement with Rhode Island Resource Recovery and Broadrock Energy to build the state of the art football stadium and all-purpose track.
Thus, one-by-one, Polisena heaped praise upon every group or individual that played special roles in the building of the Johnston Indoor Recreation Center.
The list includes, in no special order: Brad Dimeo, Dimeo Corporation; Alfred Carpionato, Carpionato Corp; Premier Land Development; Joseph Vinagro & Family; DiGregorio Corporation; DiPrete Engineering; Michael Sabitoni, RI Building & Trades Laborers Union Local 271; Johnston Firefighters Local 1950; Providence Water Supply Board-Ricky Caruolo; and National Grid-Lori Spangler.
Also, Cherokee Construction, Inc.; Central Nurseries; Hartford Paving; Arnie Vecchione, Tile Design; Deb Pavone, Sign and Mural Design; Ben Nascenzi, Building Official; Department of Public Works Employees; Johnston Fire Department Color Guard; Johnston Police Explorers; Johnston High School Select Choir and Johnston High School Band.
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