NYC spent $67M on a public pool that has been closed for 3 years and is falling apart

The pool first closed in December 2019 and stays shut.
New York Metropolis Division of Parks and Recreation

Again in 2008, New York Metropolis officers commissioned a pool price $67 million as a part of the Large Apple’s unsuccessful bid to host the 2012 Olympics.

Now, that pool is falling aside.

Situated on the Flushing Meadows Corona Park Aquatic Heart, what was imagined to be “at the very least six weeks” for an emergency roof restore practically three years in the past stays off-limits to the general public. The Division of Parks and Recreation justifies the delay “attributable to wanted repairs to the movable flooring.”

In a Metropolis Council oversight listening to final December, officers stated it could reopen by January or February 2022. However practically a yr on, the pool stays closed regardless of the roof lastly being repaired — and it’s as a result of distinctive movable flooring, designed to maneuver up and all the way down to accommodate diving and swimming.

Development work on the ground started in September, however in line with the Parks Division web site, the reconstruction tracker exhibits the $500,000 undertaking is simply 10% full.

What’s extra, Parks Spokesperson Dan Kastanis informed The Metropolis the division plans to reopen the pool round January 2023, earlier than closing it once more for 12 to 18 months beginning in the summertime of 2024 for a whole reconstruction of its roof together with its HVAC and dehumidification methods.

“We're dedicated to reopening this beloved facility to the group,” Kastanis informed The Submit in an announcement. “We by no means shut services except completely vital, and these repairs are important — they have to be achieved to make sure everybody’s security for future use.” 

“As soon as the pool’s flooring undertaking is accomplished, we plan to reopen the ability to the general public till roof building begins summer season in 2024.”

In response to Kastanis the extra renovations and reconstruction will price over $11 million

This has left many New Yorkers questioning if the assets used might’ve been higher spent elsewhere.

“I actually don’t know what the town is doing with something,” Alex Smith, who has lived in Williamsburg for the previous 5 years informed The Submit. “However for those who’re telling me they spent practically $70 million on a pool that has been closed for years attributable to points, it’s no marvel the subways are a catastrophe.”