by Contributor | December 31, 2025 3:56 pm
FULTON – The Fulton Family YMCA[1] this week learned it had won a $2.4 million grant from the state of New York that will rebuild its therapeutic pool, add a splash pad and renovate the locker rooms, steam room and sauna room. The grant program is called the New York Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY SWIMS) Initiative, through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York and overseen by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
The project will also increase accessibility of the YMCA’s facilities by bringing lockers and showers up to current best practices. The new splash pad will also be accessible, with sensory-friendly areas.
“Our aquatics and locker room areas haven’t been updated since the building opened in 1993,” said Amy Leotta, Fulton Family YMCA CEO. “We’ve made enough repairs to the pool to extend its life a few more years but the pool needs a permanent fix and the facility needs to increase accessibility overall. We’re grateful to Gov. Hochul and the staff behind NY SWIMS as well as the support from our local political leaders for the opportunity to help meet the ever-increasing need in our community.”
The project will address these areas:
Therapeutic Pool: The pool installed when the building opened was made to residential standards, not the high-volume commercial standards required for a pool of this type. A commercial-grade pool will be installed and long-standing groundwater issues beneath the pool will be addressed. Therapeutic pools are waist-deep on adults and are kept warmer than a competitive pool for the people who use it to rehabilitate from injuries and illnesses.
Splash Pad: With interactive spray features, gentle fountains and sensory-friendly water play zones, the splash pad will provide an inclusive, accessible environment that encourages movements and connection. The splash pad’s inclusiveness with sensory and mobility accessibility will welcome many people, regardless of age, mental, or physical ability. The splash pad will be new to the YMCA and broaden its offerings.
Locker Rooms: The locker and shower areas also date to the facility’s 1993 opening and are deteriorated. In addition, they do not meet current Americans With Disabilities Act standards.
Steam and Sauna Rooms: These are also original to the 1993 opening of the building. Like the pool, they are of a residential and not commercial standard and will be replaced.
The Fulton Family YMCA was one of just eight non-profit organizations to win grants in this round of NY SWIMS. The state grant requires investment from the YMCA as well and a campaign for community support is being planned. Current plans call for construction to begin in early 2027 with completion by the end of that year.
“The $2.4 million state grant is a transformative investment in the health and well-being of the community members utilizing the Fulton Family YMCA facilities. The renovations will provide upgraded, modern amenities, providing access to life-changing health benefits. Most importantly, it allows the organization to continue providing the high-quality wellness services that foster a healthier, more connected community for decades to come,” said Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C-Pulaski).
“The Fulton Family YMCA is a cornerstone of this community, providing families of all ages and abilities with a safe, welcoming place to learn, rehabilitate, and stay active,” said State Senator Christopher J. Ryan. “This $2.4 million NY SWIMS investment will modernize critical aquatics facilities, expand accessibility, and ensure the Y can continue delivering inclusive, life-changing programs for decades to come. I’m proud to support this project and grateful to Governor Hochul and our state partners for recognizing the importance of investing in community health and wellness.”
“This is great news for the people of Fulton and I congratulate the YMCA team. I am proud to partner with the non-profit agency that I knew could ‘get the job done.’ We owe a debt of gratitude to the Fulton Family YMCA for pursuing this opportunity and I stand ready to continue working with them to make this project a reality. Combined with the grants my administration has won to help improve our city, it shows that together, we are building a better Fulton: one project, one partnership, and one renewed space at a time,” said Fulton Mayor Jim Rice (D).
Congratulations to the whole YMCA team. My role in this whole endeavor was to partner with the not for profit agency whom I know could “get the job done” on behalf of our City. I knew from the onset of this opportunity that the City of Fulton could build a pool or staff it after, and I’m so very proud of the partnership we have created and the City owes a great debt of gratitude to the Fulton YMCA for pursuing this opportunity. This is great news for our City!
About the Fulton Family YMCA
The Fulton Family YMCA is part of a powerful association of men, women and children committed to bringing about lasting personal and social change. With a focus on nurturing the potential of every child and teen, improving community health and well-being and providing opportunities to give back and support neighbors, the Y enables youth, adults, families and communities to be healthy, confident, connected and secure.
The Fulton Family YMCA provides professional daycare, preschool, Pre-K, before-and-after school care and summer camp to help the development of young people and help working families to keep working. It offers a wide range of wellness and community connection programs to people of all ages as well as a fully-outfitted exercise facility with top-of-the-line equipment and brand new free weights which can be available 24 hours a day.
Follow the Fulton Family YMCA[2] on Facebook.
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