It’s a win when Ulster County, with less than one percent of the state’s population, gets more than seven percent of the money allocated to the entire state. That happened when the governor’s office announced that Ulster and its municipalities would receive $11.1 million of the $150-million pot being distributed under this year’s NY SWIMS program.
The mid-Hudson region received 25.4 percent of the state distribution.
Major recipients of the awards include the City of Kingston, which received $3.343 million for flood mitigation projects to reinforce shorelines at Kingston Point Beach; and $180,000 for upgrades at the Andretta Pool complex, including pump replacement, underground infrastructure, a splash pad, a shade structure, a lift to the pool, and ADA compliant steps.
A further $3.92 million has been earmarked for the Ulster County Pool in New Paltz, which closed for the season in late June after it was discovered that there was significant loss of water that was eventually determined to be related to failures of underground piping. The grant funding will enable the county to repair the piping with enough left over for other improvements, including replacing the pool deck, upgrading the gutter system and installing zero-depth entry ramps, giving children and people of all abilities safer access to the pool. A modern spray ground for children is also in the plans for the Ulster County Pool.
Ulster County also aided Wawarsing in securing $3.652 million to reconstruct their community pool and bathhouse facilities, which will bring it up to modern health and safety standards and ADA compliance.
“With this major state grant, we are able to modernize the county pool and improve its accessibility for children, seniors and residents of all abilities, and I want to thank Governor (Kathy) Hochul for this important investment in the health and quality of life of our residents,” said county executive Jen Metzger in a press release. “Our county pool provides a safe alternative to swimming in unguarded water bodies, and offering this kind of public amenity is becoming more important with a warming climate, providing our residents with a reprieve from the heat”
The Ulster County Pool was shut down between two periods of high heat, and though there were numerous other options in the area for safe swimming, local officials said the return of the county pool in 2025 would be most welcome.
“This significant investment in the Ulster County Pool will directly benefit our community, particularly our youth, by providing a modern, safe and inclusive environment for recreation and water safety,” said Peter Criswell (D-District 7), chair of the Ulster County Legislature. “This is a win for Ulster County, and the legislature fully supports the efforts to enhance our public facilities and enrich the lives of our residents.”
Fellow legislator Kathy Nolan (D-District 22), chair of the committee on public works, capital projects and transportation, said safe swimming options like the Ulster County Pool and other areas covered by the NY SWIMS program are important to the community.
“Providing our communities with access to safe swimming activities is essential for children to learn water safety and for families to enjoy a healthy, lifelong activity together,” Nolan said. “In times of increasing summer heat, access to swimming pools becomes even more critical, as children and adults come together and seek to remain cool. Keeping Ulster County’s pools in good condition is a smart investment, and I congratulate Ulster County and the City of Kingston for seeking and obtaining major funding from New York State to repair and upgrade the Ulster County Pool, the Andretta Pool and the Kingston Point Beach swimming facilities.”
John Gavaris (D-District 15) represents both Wawarsing and Ellenville on the Ulster County Legislature, and in the county’s press release he talked about what it would mean to his constituents to see their local pool brought into the 21st Century.
“This grant is an enormous investment in the Wawarsing community that will ensure that everyone can enjoy safe and accessible swimming facilities,” Gavaris said. “In addition to providing a place to escape the summer heat in a safe environment, this pool and improved public space will foster growth of the connections in our community, benefit local businesses and serve as a venue to teach generations of Wawarsing residents the lifelong skill of swimming.”
Join the family! 
