$6.5 Million Grant Brings New Pool Complex to Ruach HaChaim Park

By Daily Monroe Staff

Governor Kathy Hochul approved a new round of funding through the state’s NY SWIMS program, a statewide initiative aimed at expanding and improving swimming facilities across New York. As part of that approval, the Village of Kiryas Joel will receive $6.5 million to build a new indoor and outdoor swimming pool complex at Ruach HaChaim Park.

The NY SWIMS program provides grants to communities to help create safe and accessible swimming facilities. This second round of funding distributes more than $67 million statewide, supporting 21 projects. Since the program began, a total of $200 million has been awarded to 57 projects across New York, all aimed at giving families places to swim, learn, and stay healthy.

Through this statewide funding, Kiryas Joel will be able to move forward with a full aquatic facility designed for year-round use. In a certain sense, this will be the first time the village will have a significant indoor and outdoor pool available for the entire community. The pools will benefit children through swimming lessons and youth programs, while also giving adults the opportunity to swim for health, exercise, and overall well-being.

The outdoor pool will be used mainly during the summer months, while the indoor pool will allow for swimming activities throughout the winter.

“NY SWIMS has already shown how transformative safe swimming facilities can be for families and neighborhoods,” Governor Hochul said. “This next round of awards continues that progress by giving more communities the resources they need to build and improve the pools and aquatic spaces that support health, safety and year-round recreation.”

Construction at Ruach HaChaim Park is expected to begin in Summer of 2027.

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