BP Richards Allocates $26M in Funding for Pool Facility

By Katie McFadden

Rockaway is one step closer to making the Arverne East Aquatics Center a reality. On Wednesday, August 6, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards held a press conference to allocate a whopping $26 million towards making the public pool a reality.

Joined by NYC Parks staff, developers and fellow elected officials, Richards announced the funding, the largest allocation he’s made as BP,  at a conference on the Beach 32nd Street boardwalk, overlooking the Arverne East site where the aquatics facility will be located. The 48,000 square foot, three-story facility would have one indoor and one outdoor pool for public use, and an expansive deck overlooking the ocean. The facility will have direct pedestrian access from the boardwalk.

In September 2024, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $10 million toward this project. NYC Parks has also committed $10 million, making $46 million available toward the $62 million project, so that it can move forward.

The aquatics facility is a response to the number of drownings in waters around the peninsula, with the hope that having such a facility could help teach more youth how to swim and prevent future drowning tragedies.

Photo from BP Richards’ Office.