Mayor touts $55M in new funding for Queens public swimming pools

Mayor Adams unveiled $55 million in new funding Tuesday to build a new pool in Queens and to rehab an already existing indoor pool — both to be located at Roy Wilkins Park in St. Albans.

The design phase for the aquatic enjoyment mecca in southeast Queens is expected to begin in 2024.

“Our city’s public pools and recreation centers offer New Yorkers of all ages, but especially our young people and our seniors, a place to grow, learn and build community,” Adams said in a statement Tuesday.

“This $55 million additional investment to build a new, competition-sized pool and repair the existing pool in Roy Wilkins Park means more residents of southeast Queens will have access to swim classes and critical programming.”

Design and construction of the project, which also includes a recreation center, is projected to cost the city $40 million and will be spearheaded by the city’s

Department of Design and Construction.

The new pool and recreation center is expected to span 35,000 square feet.

Repairs to the existing pool will be handled by the Parks Department and are expected to cost $15 million.

Design and Construction Commissioner Thomas Foley said the agency will rely on “design-build” to construct the new facility. That technique, which involves contracting the design and construction phases of a project through a single entity, is part of a city pilot program aimed at shaving time off construction projects.

“We are very pleased to expand the plan for the new Roy Wilkins Recreation Center and to include it in our design-build pilot program, which will reduce the project timeline by at least two full years compared to lowest bidder contracting,” Foley said.

The announcement from the Adams’ administration comes after Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said earlier this month she intends to include funding for more swim programs in the city’s next budget, which is now being negotiated.