The Delano-Hitch Aquatic Center is officially open for the summer season, marking the return of a beloved community amenity after nearly five years of closure, planning and reconstruction.

Located at the corner of Robinson Avenue and Washington Street, the city-owned pool had been shuttered since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Though temporary cooling solutions and splash pads were later introduced, the main facility remained closed due to required remediation and upgrades.

The new aquatic center was developed by engineering firm Clark Patterson Lee over the past year and now features a six-lane pool with ADA accessibility, a modern recreation area, a new poolhouse with concessions and locker rooms, a newly paved parking lot, a splash pad, and a decorative arch overlooking the facility.

A grand opening ceremony took place Friday, May 23, despite the rainy weather. City officials, department heads, community members, local students, and media gathered to celebrate the milestone.

Mayor Torrance Harvey was joined by City Manager Todd Venning and Councilmembers Giselle Martinez, Ramona Monteverde, Patty Sofokles, Bob Sklarz and Omari Shakur. Also in attendance were Congressman Pat Ryan, Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson, Orange County Legislators Genesis Ramos and Kevindaryán Luján, and former Councilman Anthony Grice.

City Chief of Staff Mike Neppl welcomed attendees and highlighted the project’s significance.

“It is not every day that a city opens a new shared public space,” Neppl said. “This Newburgh is a city that builds. The new Delano-Hitch Aquatic Center is the centerpiece of the City Council’s $140 million infrastructure improvement plan.”

Neppl emphasized that the pool is more than just a construction project—it’s a community investment.

“They are the physical expression of what Newburgh can achieve when we come together,” he said, noting the values of recreation, health and connection.

Neppl thanked city departments, including Engineering (led by Jason Morris), Planning and Development (Ali Church), Recreation (Matt Nordt), Public Works (George Garrison), and Water (Wayne Vradenburgh), along with police, fire, codes, civil service, and corporation counsel staff.

City Engineer Jason Morris spoke about the project’s timeline and scope.

“The City of Newburgh completes another large infrastructure project on time and on budget,” he said. “Construction started in April 2024 and was completed in May 2025. This $15.5 million project was funded entirely through grants, with no cost to taxpayers.”

Morris noted the use of local labor and regional vendors, and thanked contractors and partners including CDL and Arcadis engineers, J&J Sass Electric, DJ Heating, TW Plumbing, and Fabhaus.

Mayor Harvey called the new facility a symbol of the city’s unity and progress.

“We stand before a remarkable achievement that embodies the spirit of boldness, creativity, innovation,” Harvey said. “This center serves as a symbol of what we can accomplish when we unite together.”

Harvey said funding came from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the NY SWIMS initiative, through Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office. Hochul was represented at the event by Kelly Allegra.

Also recognized were Deputy Superintendent Onyx Peterson, Newburgh Free Academy Principal Matteo Doddo, and school board members Ray Burgarelli, Philip Howard and John Doerre.

Rep. Ryan praised the city’s use of ARPA funds.

“This is one of the most exceptional, selfless, optimistic, hopeful uses of this funding in the country,” Ryan said. “I represent 82 different municipalities, and I wanted to be here to commend Newburgh.”

Assemblyman Jacobson presented the city with a citation on behalf of the State Assembly.

The ceremony concluded with several swimmers diving off the new starting blocks for the first official swim in the pool. A countdown and ribbon-cutting followed, with Mayor Harvey and Councilman Shakur leaping into the pool to cheers from the crowd.