Funding is now available from the new $150 million NY SWIMS capital grant program. Governor Kathy Hochul included this funding in the 2025 budget to expand access to safe swimming opportunities for New Yorkers, address equity gaps, and provide resources for communities facing extreme heat. The first application round will make up to $90 million available for municipal swimming facility projects in underserved communities across New York State. The remaining NY SWIMS capital funding will be made available during subsequent application periods.
“Drownings in New York State have reached record levels in the last few years, and our kids are particularly vulnerable,” Governor Hochul said. “Through NY SWIMS, we’re making sure that all New Yorkers know how to swim through the largest statewide investment in swimming since the New Deal. We look forward to municipalities taking advantage of this opportunity to create new ways to provide children and their families safe spaces to learn how to swim and prevent childhood drowning.”
The program offers grants between $50,000 and $10 million to acquire, design, construct, or reconstruct facilities, and provide major renovations, improvements, and modernization or rehabilitation of swimming facilities and natural swimming areas. The Request for Applications for the first round of funding was posted Wednesday at www.dasny.org and www.parks.ny.gov.
NY SWIMS grants will require applicants to provide a 20 percent matching contribution towards the overall project cost. In addition to various costs to develop swimming areas, NY SWIMS funds are also available to support ancillary projects, including splash pads, concession stands, picnic areas, and playgrounds. Funds for these costs are limited to 10 percent of grants awarded for any individual project.
Recognizing that drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 and that climate change will increase extreme heat events, NY SWIMS will build out municipal swimming facilities in high-need areas, connect New Yorkers to the State’s rivers and lakes, deploy pools in urban environments, and invest in State parks and pools. It will also promote initiatives to help more New Yorkers swim safely by addressing the statewide lifeguard shortage, increasing swimming instruction, and increasing amenities at pools and beaches.
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