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Ulster County panel approves $11M‑scale pool renovation after split vote
Summary
After months of planning and a $3.9 million SWIMS grant, Ulster County’s public works committee approved a comprehensive renovation for the county pool — including 0‑entry access, a splash pad and bathhouse upgrades — voting 4–3 amid concerns about rising costs, contingency use and bonding impacts.
The Ulster County Public Works & Capital Projects Committee voted 4–3 on July 6 to adopt a capital project to overhaul the county pool, approving a plan that relies on a $3.9 million state SWIMS grant and county bonding to cover remaining costs that staff now estimate at roughly $11 million.
Deputy County Executive LaValle said the project’s design is about 95% complete and now includes an accessible “0‑entry” slope, a splash pad, upgraded filtration sized for the Olympic‑length pool and an expanded bathhouse. "We were awarded $3,900,000 from the state," LaValle said, describing the award as the foundation for the bid package and noting staff are pursuing an additional $500,000 from Empire State Development.
Chief Diversity Officer Dina Suggs, who led community listening sessions on accessibility, told the committee the design was shaped by advocates and consultants to expand access: "The 0 entry really gives you that sort of shallow floor line situation that makes it much more easy to really closely watch kids and not have them be as vulnerable," Suggs said, arguing the changes would benefit people with disabilities, seniors and families.
Some legislators pressed officials on why project estimates rose from a previously authorized $5.5 million to roughly $11 million. Committee members were told an early figure came from a pool contractor’s quick estimate rather than a full architectural renovation estimate; staff and the architect said broader scope, inclusion of a bathhouse renovation and construction market escalation drove the increase.
Opponents urged postponement to seek additional grant dollars, phase the work or identify savings. "I am really struggling with just the pure math behind this project," said Legislator Donovan, who opposed adoption. Supporters said delaying would increase costs, risk the timing of grants and complicate contractor mobilization. Staff warned rebidding or phasing could raise total costs because the current bid consolidates work and mobilization.
LaValle said the project included a $1 million contingency and that staff would return with estimates of operating savings from more efficient pumps, HVAC and potential solar canopies. County budget staff said debt service if bonded over 20 years could run roughly $382,000–$475,000 annually depending on interest rates, and that the project’s debt service would appear in the 2027 debt service fund rather than the 2026 operating budget.
On procedural votes after a failed postponement motion, the committee also moved and passed a block to advance implementing contracts connected to the pool project. Several legislators asked staff to provide a consolidated spreadsheet next week showing contingency use, potential decarbonization fund fits and quantified energy‑savings estimates.
The committee’s action establishes the capital project and clears the way for contract approvals the committee has already placed in a block, but members asked for additional detail on funding sources and projected annual debt service before final bonding and long‑term fiscal commitments are finalized.
