More than $10 million is on its way to the Southern Tier to support two major pool projects in Chemung and Tompkins counties.
On Dec. 29 Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that over $67 million in capital grants have been awarded to fund 21 projects through the second round of the New York Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS) Initiative.
The awardees include the Village of Horseheads, along with the YMCA Ithaca and Tompkins County.
In Horseheads, $4 million was awarded to fund the replacement of the Thorne Street Park pool and renovation of the pool house. The village will demolish the aging Thorne Street Park pool and complete major renovations to the pool house to support construction of a new, larger community pool.
Meanwhile, the YMCA Ithaca and Tompkins County were awarded $6.26 million for the reconstruction of multiple pools, locker room upgrades and the addition of a hydrotherapy spa. The Ithaca YMCA will demolish and rebuild aquatic facilities, renovate an existing pool, upgrade locker rooms, and add a hydrotherapy spa to expand programming for families, seniors, and individuals with therapeutic needs, according to the state.
“NY SWIMS has already shown how transformative safe swimming facilities can be for families and neighborhoods,” Hochul said in a statement. “This next round of awards continues that progress by giving more communities the resources they need to build and improve the pools and aquatic spaces that support health, safety and year-round recreation.”
What is the NY SWIMS Initiative?
The NY SWIMS Initiative provides matching capital grants ranging from $250,000 to $10 million to help municipalities and nonprofit organizations modernize aquatic infrastructure, noted the governor’s office. Projects must demonstrate site control, matching funds, and plans that expand public access to safe swimming.
New York state has now awarded $200 million to support 57 projects through two rounds of the NY SWIMS program.
NY SWIMS supports projects that modernize or build aquatic facilities, including swimming pools, natural swimming areas, bathhouses, mechanical systems, shade structures, lighting, and accessibility upgrades. Applications are competitive and are evaluated based on community need, public benefit, planning, and readiness for implementation.
“This second round of NY SWIMS awards shows how communities across New York are stepping forward with well-planned projects that will make a real difference for families,” said DASNY President & CEO Robert J. Rodriguez. “DASNY is proud to administer this program and support municipalities and nonprofits as they move from vision to construction. These investments will create safe environments for swimming and recreation while fostering healthier, more connected communities.”
This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Horseheads, Ithaca make splash with $10 million for new pool facilities
Reporting by Chris Potter, Elmira Star-Gazette / Elmira Star-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
