Engineering firm Clark Patterson Lee (CPL) has completed 30 percent of the design update on the Delano Hitch Aquatic Center. CPL returned before the Newburgh City Council during their regular work session on Thursday, February 9 at City Hall.

Principal Timothy Moot and Architect Jonathan DiRocco on behalf of CPL were introduced to the council by City of Newburgh Engineer Jason Morris, who provided a brief overview of the project and the update on Thursday night. “In late 2022, the City Council elected to move forward with the design of a new pool at the Delano Hitch Activity Center. City council authorized a contract with CPL to prepare the design drawings for this new pool,” said Morris. “The city put together a design team consisting of myself, Ali Church, the planner and Matt [Nordt, Recreation Director] from recreation, along with CPL, Tim [Moot] and John [DiRocco] behind me. We’re here tonight to give an update on the status of the design, which has now reached 30% design threshold.”

DiRocco said the proposed pool has ADA (Americans with Disabilities) access and the proposed splash pad site at the park would feature 26 different water options. Several presentation notes listed no night swimming and diving but there would be starting blocks for swim training. The pool size is similar to the newly renovated pool at Newburgh Free Academy.

Additional shade structures for seating and recreation are also being discussed. The proposed pool house would include a check-in windows, new changing rooms, first aid stations, outdoor showering stations. A new mechanical room and lockers for personal storage would be located on the outside of the building. A concession stand was also proposed that would be used throughout the various seasons. According to DiRocco, demolition is anticipated to begin in June and will continue through the summer.

“This is a problem that we inherited, and this is our solution,” said Councilman Anthony Grice. “That timeline, I think as Mayor Harvey had put it before, you know, we do want to be as aggressive as possible,” said Grice. “Let’s ensure that we are keeping the community engaged as much as possible. If there are design ideas that they had, we’re open to those, but also giving them the cost of what that might be.” Councilwoman Giselle Martinez also shared comments about highlighting and promoting the city’s workforce for potential jobs. “Residents have been very eager to go back and just enjoy the park,” said Martinez.

Councilwoman Ramona Monteverde asked about adding solar panels to the designs which CPL may consider and also asked about the possibility of using the pool facilities at Mount Saint Mary College and at Newburgh Free Academy as an alternative for the residents. Nordt addressed Monteverde’s inquiry. “I have been in contact with the school district and the Mount. The Mount and the school district unfortunately won’t let us have public swimming in the pool,” said Nordt. “They will allow us to go up for our day camps.”

Moot and DiRacco also shared with the council that they were in conversation with the New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) as the current pool was renovated and built within the pool that was first built in the 1930s. SHPO has asked for additional information on the alteration that was made during the 2000’s according to DiRacco. According to DiRacco, the current pool was built inside the former one. The current pool site at Delano-Hitch Park has the existing pool facility and attached waterslide with a pool house that has locker rooms, offices and storage space. Adjacent to the pool area is a parking lot that is looking to be redone. The anticipated timeline for the pool renovation and ultimate completion would be in 2025 and while residents wait for the pool, splash pads at various city parks are being completed and worked on to have them available for the warmer months.