Golden shovels placed into the dirt marked the groundbreaking of the Delano-Hitch Aquatic Center on Wednesday, September 6. The aquatic center will see final completion in the summer of 2025.

The aquatic center in the City of Newburgh has been a staple of the community that provides water recreation to the families and surrounding neighborhoods. It is the only public pool within the city.

During the aquatic center’s lifetime, the pool was redone and repaired with another pool having been placed into it. The pool closed in 2020 and has since remained closed for repairs, and more extensive remediation work was required. Now in 2023, the city is one step closer to a new pool for its residents.

The site today has already undergone several periods of demolition and cleaning. A brick arch that served as an entrance way into the site remains intact. Metal fencing surrounds the park and adjacent parking lot, which has also been planned to be redone.

“The new aquatic center will include 9,000 square feet of splash pad area, a 78 foot by 50 foot pool with an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant entry ramp, a 5,500 square foot ADA compliant pool house with reception area, changing rooms, bathroom, showers, concession stand, security office, a first aid room and a mechanical room,” said City Engineer Jason Morris. “A 14,000 square foot stamped and dyed decorative concrete pool deck, including lounge chairs, shade structures and tables. Site landscaping, lighting and a newly constructed parking area with 73 parking spaces for visitors.”

Funding for the pool project would be provided from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and additional sources according to Morris.