Construction on the Delano-Hitch Aquatic Center, located at the corner of Route 9W and Washington Street, continues ahead of its scheduled Memorial Day weekend opening. The long-anticipated public amenity has been in development for several years.

The city pool serves as a recreational space for families in Newburgh and surrounding areas during the summer months. However, it has remained closed since 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began. Over time, the facility fell into disrepair and required significant upgrades.

Engineering firm Clark Patterson Lee (CPL) is overseeing the project, which includes a new six-lane swimming pool with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility, a splash pad park, a new pool house, lounge areas and a redesigned parking lot. The project also features new landscaping.

According to City Chief of Staff Mike Neppl, construction crews have been working throughout the winter on electrical, plumbing, flooring, and painting inside the pool house. As weather improves, the contractor will install a dyed and stamped concrete pool patio, complete interior work on the pool area, including an ADA pool ramp, finalize the splash pad, construct a new arch and complete landscaping and parking lot paving.

Neppl confirmed that the aquatic center’s construction is being funded without direct cost to city taxpayers. It is financed through the city’s allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and an $8 million grant from the NY SWIMS Initiative through Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office.

Mayor Torrance Harvey expressed excitement for the upcoming opening, noting the financial hurdles the project faced during the pandemic due to rising costs.
“This swimming pool is going to be completely paid for through state and federal grant funding—not one penny is being charged to the taxpayers,” Harvey said. “We’re going to open this swimming pool on schedule for Memorial Day weekend.”

The old swimming pool and pool house have been demolished. The arch that once led to the aquatic center remained for a time and was featured in earlier renderings but has since been removed. The city is working to construct a new arch for the facility.

According to Neppl, the original aquatic center arch was built in 1932. In 2000, the city undertook a pool renovation project, demolishing the original arch and replacing it with a new one. The 2000 arch, however, was constructed with lead-containing brick veneer rather than solid brick, making it inconsistent in material, color, and design. Additionally, it lacked a proper foundation, leading to structural instability.

Due to differential settlement—when a building’s foundation sinks or settles unevenly—the arch could not be restored to a level condition and had to be removed. Before its 2000 demolition, the original 1932 arch was fully documented following standards from the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s office.

These records have guided the new arch’s design, which will incorporate the original plaques, decorative tiles, and iron gates while integrating modern lighting and signage. Neppl emphasized that under specific conditions, replication is permitted by the Secretary of the Interior’s standards, and the New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has been consulted throughout the process.

Following the arch’s demolition, some residents voiced concerns online, prompting Mayor Harvey to address the project’s commitment to historic preservation.

“We had to take down the arches, but we are restoring them to their historical rendering and original aesthetic,” Harvey said. “The arches were in disrepair and crumbling. Historic preservation is very important to us, just as it is to many of our residents—especially those who assumed we weren’t going to restore them. But we are.”

As preparations continue for the pool’s opening, the city has issued requests for proposals for concession services. Harvey also recognized Recreation Director Matthew Nordt, City Manager Todd Venning, and City Engineer Jason Morris for their contributions to the project.

The city is currently accepting applications for seasonal employment at the aquatic center for positions including pool director, assistant pool director, water safety instructor, and lifeguards. Job descriptions and applications are available atcityofnewburgh-ny.gov/jobs.aspx. Harvey encouraged local residents to apply and get involved with the center.

For additional information, including project documents and a virtual tour, residents can visit cityofnewburgh-ny.gov/629/Delano-Hitch-Aquatic-Center.