More than $63 million in capital grants have been awarded to 21 projects across New York State as part of the second round of the New York Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS) Initiative, Governor Kathy Hochul announced. The program, administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) and overseen by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, aims to help communities build and improve swimming facilities.
With this latest round, a total of $200 million has been distributed through NY SWIMS to support 57 projects statewide. The initiative provides competitive matching grants for municipalities and nonprofit organizations to modernize aquatic infrastructure. Grants range from $250,000 to $10 million and require recipients to demonstrate site control, matching funds, and plans that expand public access to safe swimming.
“NY SWIMS has already shown how transformative safe swimming facilities can be for families and neighborhoods,” Governor Hochul said. “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. Through Unplug and Play, we’re creating opportunities for New Yorkers to enjoy the outdoors, stay active, and come together.”
Of the new funding, over $34 million is directed toward underserved communities where access to public swimming facilities has historically been limited. These investments are intended to address gaps in recreation infrastructure while increasing opportunities for water-safety education and youth programming.
The awarded projects include 13 municipal applicants and eight nonprofit organizations. Combined with local and philanthropic contributions totaling nearly $25 million, these projects represent more than $87 million in construction investment across eight Economic Development Regions.
NY SWIMS supports upgrades such as new or renovated pools, bathhouses, mechanical systems, accessibility improvements, lighting, shade structures, and natural swimming areas. Applications were evaluated based on community need, public benefit, planning quality, and readiness for implementation.
The initiative also advances Governor Hochul’s broader Unplug and Play program focused on investing in recreation infrastructure throughout New York State. Improvements are expected to help communities cope with extreme heat events by providing cool spaces while expanding swim instruction opportunities.
A full list of awardees is available at dasny.org/swimsround2.
Regional highlights include:
– In the Capital Region: Schenectady will receive $8.08 million for a new pool complex; Watervliet will get $7.4 million for replacing its existing pool.
– Central New York: Cortland is awarded $3.8 million for renovations at Yaman Park; YMCA Fulton receives $2.4 million.
– Finger Lakes: Rochester gets $2.4 million for improvements at Trenton and Pamela Jackson R-Center pool; Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County receives $800,000.
– Long Island: Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center receives over $427,000.
– Mid-Hudson: Kiryas Joel is allocated $6.5 million; Cornwall receives about $5.58 million.
– Mohawk Valley: Sherrill is granted $2.6 million.
– New York City: NYC Department of Parks & Recreation will use a $5 million grant for reconstruction at Haffen Park Pool Complex in the Bronx.
– Southern Tier: YMCA Ithaca & Tompkins County gets over $6.26 million; Village of Horseheads receives $4 million.
DASNY President & CEO Robert J. Rodriguez said, “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. 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.”
New York State Parks Acting Commissioner Kathy Moser stated: “Through Governor Hochul’s leadership, the NY SWIMS program is investing millions of dollars to build and revitalize pools and swimming facilities across the state. This ongoing effort helps New Yorkers learn to swim and stay safe in and around the water. Swimming supports the mission of the ‘Get Offline, Get Outside’ and this next round of grants will restore vital community resources while expanding access to safe, affordable swim opportunities for New Yorkers of all ages.”
State Senator Jose Serrano added: “The New York Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS) Initiative is a vital investment for municipalities and nonprofit organizations to expand access to safe swimming facilities across the state. As Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation, I firmly believe NY SWIMS will build and improve swimming facilities to give New Yorkers safe and modern places to swim. Many thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul and my colleagues in government for working to maintain and expand this important initiative.”