Gov. Hochul makes a splash with funding for new in-ground swimming pool at Tompkins Square Park

Say so long to to Tompkins Square Park mini pool. (And yes, Tompkins Square Park has a mini pool.) 

On Wednesday, Gov. Hochul announced nearly $150 million in capital grants to fund 37 projects "as part of the New York Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS) initiative — New York's biggest investment in swimming since the New Deal." 

Here's more from Hochul's office: 

The program provides grants between $50,000 and $10 million to help municipalities design, construct, rehabilitate, or modernize public swimming facilities, focusing on supporting disadvantaged and underserved communities that lack access to safe swimming and outdoor recreation opportunities. Applications were evaluated on characteristics of project need, impact and viability. 

Tompkins Square Park will receive $6.1 million for the new pool project. Specifics: 

The NYC Department of Parks & Recreation will reconstruct and expand the mini pool at Tompkins Square Park by removing the existing above-ground mini pool and replacing it with an in-ground pool, doubling the current capacity. 

Additionally, they will replace the filtration system, expand the pool decks, replace the perimeter fencing and gates, and add outdoor pool showers and a new lifeguard chair. 

And nearby on Houston and Pitt, the Hamilton Fish Recreation Center Pool is getting $10 million: 

This project will reconstruct the recreation center, outdoor terraces, pool, and pool filter plant at Hamilton Fish Park. The architectural renovation will transform this historic site by bringing it up to today’s safety and accessibility standards for the benefit of the community. 

There is no word on the timing or timeline for the local pool projects. The Tompkins mini pool was closed for the second consecutive summer while the field house underwent renovations. 

If this project gets underway next year, the pool could be closed for a third summer. However, given the design and procurement phases, that's an ambitious timeline.