UPDATE: In what appears to be a response to community outrage, the Portugese American Club has announced that they “are not open today.”
No word on tomorrow.
—
In a move that’s left many in disbelief, the Portsmouth Portuguese American Citizens Club is reopening Monday—just nine days after a staircase collapse at the venue killed a 15-year-old girl and critically injured another teen, according to a report by WPRI 12.
Adding to the shock, the reopening will take place on the same day as the memorial service for Kelly Nevitt, the Portsmouth High School freshman who was killed when the concrete landing of a 14-foot staircase gave way during a graduation party on June 7. The collapse injured four others, including 17-year-old Aaron Delgado, who remains in critical condition in the ICU at Rhode Island Hospital.
The June 7 tragedy unfolded during a graduation party when the landing of a 14-foot staircase at the club’s entrance suddenly gave way. Nevitt, a Portsmouth High School freshman, died in the collapse. Seventeen-year-old Aaron Delgado remains in critical condition in the ICU at Rhode Island Hospital. Three other attendees were also injured.
The club, which has been closed since the incident, announced the reopening in an email to members over the weekend. The email, obtained by WPRI 12, said a meeting would be scheduled “in the near future” to discuss what happened and answer questions.
The same email reminded members to “be mindful and respectful of the memorial at the Flagpole” when visiting the reopened club and asked them to park away from it to leave space for mourners.
The timing has drawn outrage and disbelief from members of the Portsmouth community, where grief is still raw and support for the victims continues to pour in. A GoFundMe for Nevitt’s funeral expenses has raised more than $140,000, while a separate fundraiser for Delgado’s recovery has surpassed $50,000.
Nevitt’s memorial service will be held Monday at 2 p.m. at Green Valley Country Club in Portsmouth. Donations in her memory may be made to the Newport Children’s Theater.
Meanwhile, the club where her life was cut short will be back in operation—business as usual.
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