Two New York-area Jewish communities will soon be swimming in cash designated for building and renovating their recreational aquatic facilities.
The Village of Kiryas Joel has been awarded $6.5 million for construction of a new indoor/outdoor aquatic complex at Kinder Park. Virtually all the residents of the 1.1 square mile village are members of the Satmar Chassidic community, which is named after its founding grand rabbi, Joel Teitelbaum.
Kinder Park was segregated along gender lines when it was created in 2013, in keeping with the community’s custom. After being sued by the New York Civil Liberties Union a year later, the village agreed to open it to both genders.
“The students in the community will definitely benefit from having this facility,” Joel Petlin, superintendent of the Kiryas Joel School District, told JNS. “I look forward to its completion.”
On Long Island, the Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center has been awarded $427,358 by the state to upgrade its pool HVAC systems, refinish pool surfaces and enhance the lift that serves people with disabilities.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul stated that the monies give “more communities the resources they need to build and improve the pools and aquatic spaces that support health, safety and year-round recreation.” She added that “we’re creating opportunities for New Yorkers to enjoy the outdoors, stay active and come together.”
A total of $63 million has been awarded to 21 beneficiaries in this second round of grants as part of New York Statewide Investment in More Swimming (NY Swims). The total amount granted, in the first and second rounds, is $200 million to 57 projects statewide.
In the first round of funding, several other Jewish communities received grants.
The Albany Jewish Community Center received $554,860 to renovate its indoor pool facility and upgrade safety and water quality mechanisms.
Ichud Shlomo, in the Kiryas Joel area, was granted $1.58 million for two new pools and a pool house.
Non-Jewish recipients in both tranches include towns and cities, and YMCAs statewide.
