Construction of the new Payne Pool Aquatic Facility is now underway. It's been a long process, but it will be a worthwhile one", said Parks & Recreation Director Alex Domaradzki.
The process started in 2018 when former Director Patty Brosius initiated a feasibility study as to whether it made sense to renovate an aging and deteriorating Memorial Pool building. Taking into account current trends, as well as operational capacity, the study found that the City would get more bang for it's buck in a new facility that would enable them to stretch their dollar further with upgrades and enhancements that wouldn't be possible in the renovation of a structure which had limited potential, and further a limited draw to new users.
On December 13, 2023 there was a public engagement meeting where a preliminary design for the new aquatic facility at Payne Park was presented. Public had a chance to view the presentation, the design materials, and ask questions and provide feedback as part of this engagement session.
The entirety of the meeting can be viewed here (
click to view live stream)
A copy of the
presentation slides and pictures of the design can be viewed in the Printable Documents links below. Furthermore information from the
feasibility study is also available below as a reference to how we incorporated initial public feedback into our design.
It's important to note, as mentioned in the presentation, due to increasing costs of materials and construction wages, the design presented had been scaled back from the original design from the feasibility study which incorporated more amenities (lazy river, etc). At the current scope and timeline this wouldn't be feasible based on the projected costs increases from the original projects to current time (span of 4+ years).
Fast forward 8 years after the feasabiity study was initiated, the shovels are in the ground and the project is underway, with the 9+ million cost covered by extensive grants secured by the City to keep the burden off taxpayers. For more information see below printable documents as well as a timeline of how the project has moved forward over time.
Printable Documents:
Pool Feasibility Study (completed 2019)Public Presentation Slides (Dec 13, 2023)Timeline:2017: City identified the aging status of Memorial Pool needed to be addressed, and begun the process of seeking a firm to do a feasibility study.
2018: Feasibility study began to investigate the current conditions and weigh the benefits and drawbacks of two options: Build new vs. Renovate the existing structure.
2019:
Feasibility study was completed and accepted by the Council in November of 2019.
2020-2021: Covid put a hault in pursuing the direction of the pool decision
2022: Council approved funding to move forward with the design and development of a new outdoor aquatic facility. Proposal requests went out publicly and local/statewide engineer firms were solicited with the proposal document requests.
2023: Brandstetter & Carol was the lone proposal received. Based on their extensive background in this area of work (many aquatic facility projects under their belts) and their knowledge of the current facility (completed the Pool Feasibility Study) they were awarded the Design contract.
June 2023: We are currently working Brandstetter & Carol along with a steering committee to work through the design process. Over the course of this year there will be public meetings and updates along the way. We are also working with grant writers and the LCDC to apply for a number of grants to help subsidize the cost of the project.
December 2023: Preliminary Design of new facility presented at a public meeting for Q&A and input. (
Click here to view live stream)
Spring of 2024: Work towards final design, apply & secure additional sources of grant funding, funding approval for allocation to fund final project.
Fall/Winter 2024: Final Design Completed. Grant funding sources secured with award letters (Drawings submitted to all state, county and national reviewing agencies).
2025: Additional funds secured. Contract bids out.
2026: Bid Contracts awarded, project breaks ground (June 2026).
Grant Funding Secured$750,000 NYS Parks (Environmental Protection Fund Grants: Parks, Preservation and Heritage)
$4,083,311 National Parks (Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)State and Local Assistance
$4,100,000 NYS Assembly William Conrad
$1,100,000 Gov Kathy Hochul
Construction beginning June 2026
Anticipated Completion June 2027
Updated News articles:
NT Moves on Pool ProjectGround Breaking