Ulster County approves $11 million pool renovation amid housing funding debate

The Ulster County Legislature voted 21‑1 to approve Resolution No. 375, authorizing up to $6.6 million in county bonding and state funding for a major upgrade of the Ulster County Pool Complex. The project, now projected to cost as much as $11 million, will replace filtration systems, renovate bathhouses, add a splash‑pad and install zero‑entry ramps to improve accessibility at the Libertyville Road facility in New Paltz.

County legislator Lindsey Grossman highlighted the pool’s role in community health, saying public pools teach children to swim, provide exercise for seniors and serve as a gathering place for families. However, fellow legislators, including Kevin Roberts, questioned the steep price tag and whether the county should prioritize the pool over urgent affordable‑housing needs, especially as the state has opened nearby facilities such as Sojourner Truth State Park.