Plan approved for new aquatic center in Schenectady

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Schenectady County Legislature voted on May 14 to ratify an agreement between Schenectady County Community College (SCCC), the Capital Region Aquatic Center (CRAC) and the county to build a brand-new aquatic facility in downtown Schenectady. The estimated $41 million facility has been proposed to be constructed on land owned by the county and SCCC.

Construction of the 80,000 square foot center is expected to begin in 2025, with the tentative grand opening scheduled for 2027. $21.5 million has already been pledged toward the project, including $5 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act.

"We're thrilled to announce Schenectady County's commitment of $5 million in ARPA funding to
bring an aquatic center to our community," said Gary Hughes, Chair of the Schenectady County
Legislature. "By partnering with SUNY Schenectady and the Capital Region Aquatic Center, we
aim to make swimming accessible to our children and families while also attracting athletes and visitors, benefiting local businesses and driving economic growth."

“We have worked tirelessly over the past decade to secure funding and support to make this
greatly needed aquatic center a reality,” said Kara Haraden, board president of the Capital Region Aquatic Center. “We feel privileged to work with SUNY Schenectady and Schenectady County to ensure all ages and abilities can learn how to swim and have access to other impactful programs. This project has been our passion, and we can't thank our private donors, SUNY Schenectady, Schenectady County, the state of New York and our federal partners enough for
understanding the importance of the Aquatic Center and legitimizing the project."

The center will be located on the block between State Street, South Church Street, South Ferry Street and Fuller Street. The facility will be owned and operated by SCCC in tandem with CRAC, and will feature the following amenities:

SUNY Aquatic Center features

• Olympic-sized competition pool and diving well, with 1,200 person audience seating and on-deck seating for up to 600 athletes
• Six-lane warm water instruction pool
• Heated therapy pool
• Multi-purpose dry spaces, including meeting rooms, a pro shop, dry land training facilities,
  locker rooms and concessions
• Non-traditional activities, such as stand-up paddle board yoga, an obstacle course and a rock-climbing wall

"SUNY Schenectady has long been committed to leading higher education, career
advancement, community programming and overall growth in Schenectady County and the
Capital Region," said Dr. Steady H. Moono, president of SUNY Schenectady. "Today’s exciting
agreement reaffirms our commitment yet again, and I am thrilled to help expand Schenectady’s
influence in New York state by bringing competitive swimming and overall aquatics to our area
in such a meaningful way."