The proposed aquatic center, located near SUNY Schenectady, has been discussed for more than a decade. But community outcry over the cost of building it has prompted Schenectady County legislators to request a new plan.
Schenectady County
SCHENECTADY — The Schenectady County Legislature’s plans to construct an aquatic center in the Electric City have sunk after updated size and cost projections made waves in the community.
Plans for the project, first revealed in 2024, nearly doubled in size and tripled in price over the past two years. Original proposals estimated the center would be 80,000 square feet and cost $41.7 million. In February, the Legislature provided an update showing the project’s estimated size and cost had increased to 146,825 square feet and $125.3 million, respectively.
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More: Schenectady County moves ahead with swim center despite explosive cost increase.
The Capital Region Aquatic Center would include an Olympic- and NCAA-compliant competition pool, seating for 1,200 spectators and 600 athletes, classrooms, media spaces, and meeting and management facilities, on a plot of land near SUNY Schenectady.
But now, the Legislature wants new plans to bring the cost down.
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Richard Ruzzo, deputy chair of the Legislature, said lawmakers want construction costs to be brought down to about $75 million — roughly a third of the proposed cost — and has asked the architectural and engineering teams in charge of the project to create a new plan.
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“We will not move forward at $125 million. There’s no support for that, whether it be at the legislative level or at the public level,” Ruzzo said.
Ruzzo has been a vocal supporter of the project and contends it would be an economic boon and a regional draw. But he said there is not a single member of the Legislature willing to support the project at the current price point, and a reduction in the facility’s size is also being requested.
Upgrades to Cowhorn Creek — an underground channel that runs under Schenectady — are another factor in the cost. Ruzzo said upgrading the channel’s infrastructure to improve its resiliency is part of the site development for the aquatic center’s proposed location.
“If that thing failed, there would be significant disruption to the community,” Ruzzo said.
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Legislature Chair Gary Hughes previously told the Times Union that the aquatic center was considerably more expensive than it used to be, in part, because of current construction conditions, including higher costs for materials and steel.
Hughes said in a written statement Saturday that the aquatic center would be a great asset for the college and community, and the Legislature will continue to look for ways to reduce costs while supporting academic programs and NCAA competition.
“We’ve listened to input from residents and stakeholders throughout the process,” Hughes said.
The county is partnering with SUNY Schenectady to construct the aquatic center, which has been discussed for more than a decade. Steady Moono, the college’s president, had previously touted the facility as a “powerful academic engine.” The college would own and operate the facility.
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In a written statement Saturday, Moono said the project’s costs are the county’s responsibility, and the SUNY Schenectady Board of Trustees will consider further steps after the Legislature deliberates.
“SUNY Schenectady is working closely with Schenectady County as plans for the proposed Aquatic Center continue to be evaluated,” Moono said.
Daniel Flynn, co-founder of Schenectady Residents for Responsible Development, was satisfied that the Legislature is seemingly listening to public feedback.
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Though Flynn said the facility would be beneficial to the community, his group previously raised concerns over the project’s size and cost.
“They listened to those concerns, and they heard them,” Flynn said.