Ulster Co. receives $3.9 million for pool upgrades

KINGSTON, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- The Ulster County Pool was closed due to underground piping failures, and the county has been awarded $3.92 million through the New York SWIMS initiative. The town of Wawasing also received assistance during the application process to receive $3.65 million to reconstruct its community pool.

The Ulster County Department of Public Works made several attempts to replace and repair parts of the pool, but it closed for the season on Monday, July 8. County officials said the grant funding will enhance the pool's complex and improve accessibility for all ages.

Ulster County Pool upgrades

• Replacing the pool deck
• Installing a new gutter system
• Adding zero-depth entry ramps
• Installing a modern spray ground

Wawsing's $3.65 million grant funding will tackle safety standards and ADA compliance for the pool and bathhouse. County Executive Jen Metzger said state funding is a significant help for counties in providing safe swimming spaces.

"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," Metzger said. "For these same reasons, our County staff provided grant support to the Town of Wawarsing to apply to the NY SWIMS program, and we are thrilled that their application was successful."

Andretta Pool also received $180,000 to replace pumps and underground infrastructure and add an ADA-compliant lift to the pool. Beyond the pools, the city of Kingston received $3,343,345 to upgrade Kingston Point Beach flood mitigation projects and reinforce shorelines.