ITHACA, N.Y. — The Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) will use $13 million in state funding to renovate and construct a year-round enclosure for the Alex Haley Municipal Pool.
New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D–Bronx) announced the funding on Wednesday as part of his statewide tour, visiting GIAC with Assemblymember Anna Kelles (D–Ithaca).
The Alex Haley Municipal Pool in Ithaca’s Northside currently serves more than 12,000 visitors each summer and provides swimming lessons, youth employment, and a gathering space for underprivileged families, per the announcement. Built in 1993, aging infrastructure and other environmental impacts have left the pool “increasingly vulnerable and costly to maintain,” Heastie’s office said.
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“This funding is critical in keeping the Alex Haley Municipal Pool safe and accessible for Ithaca’s families,” Heastie said in the announcement. “These renovations will allow for year-round programming and services, from having a safe gathering space to providing swimming lessons to more people — giving them a lifesaving lifelong skill. I’m glad I could be here today with Assemblymember Kelles to announce this important investment.”
The $13 million in funding will allow GIAC to rebuild and expand the facility to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, add modern locker rooms, and construct a movable, energy-efficient enclosure that would transform it into a year-round recreation hub. This will make swimming lessons and other services available to Ithaca families year-round, and support 40 jobs.
“I am honored to have Speaker Heastie join me here today with the amazing leaders and dedicated staff of the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) at the Alex Haley Municipal Pool, which has served Ithaca’s Northside for over 30 years,” Kelles said. “I thank Speaker Heastie for championing the effort with me to secure this investment so that we can keep this pool open and accessible to everyone, year round. Renovating the Alex Haley Municipal Pool has been a top priority and now with this much-needed funding we can finally secure a bright future year for this vital community space.”
