Governor Kathy Hochul announced a $63 million allocation to expand safe swimming facilities across New York State. According to the Governor's office, the funding will support 21 new projects under the NY SWIMS initiative. This latest investment brings total program funding to $200 million, covering 57 projects statewide focused on developing and improving public swimming facilities.
More than $34 million of the funding is designated for underserved communities to improve access to public swimming facilities. State officials said the grants are intended to support areas with limited recreational infrastructure. In announcing the funding, Governor Kathy Hochul stated that the NY SWIMS program has demonstrated the impact that safe swimming facilities can have on families and neighborhoods. The funding is expected to assist additional communities by providing resources that support public health, safety, and recreational opportunities for residents.
The funding will be distributed to multiple municipalities across the state. Schenectady is slated to receive $8.08 million for a new pool complex, while Rochester will receive $2.4 million for improvements to the R-Center pool. Planned upgrades across projects include features such as zero-entry pool access, improved beach access, and updated bathhouse facilities. In the announcement, DASNY President and CEO Robert J. Rodriguez stated that the investments are intended to support safe swimming and recreational spaces and to promote health and community use.
The NY SWIMS program is part of the state’s effort to expand recreational infrastructure and improve access to swimming facilities, particularly during the summer months. In addition to seasonal use, the facilities are intended to support swim instruction and year-round programming. In the official announcement, Kathy Moser, Acting Commissioner of New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, said the program aligns with the agency’s “Get Offline, Get Outside” initiative. State Senator Jose Serrano also stated that the program represents an important investment for municipalities and nonprofit organizations seeking to expand access to safe swimming facilities.
A complete list of the second-round NY SWIMS grant recipients is available on DASNY’s website, including funding amounts and project locations.
