Common Council Approves Applying For NY SWIMS Grant – Look to Construct New Bathhouse, Make ADA Improvements at Yaman Beach

The City of Cortland Common Council unanimously voted to authorize Cortland Mayor Scott Steve to submit an application for grant funding NY SWIMS. If awarded, the city would reconstruct the bathhouse located at Yaman Park, build an ADA ramp for beach access, have a beach access wheelchair, update the pavilions, and add more sand to Yaman Beach.

The grant, if awarded, would provide up to 80% of the project’s capital cost, which is estimated at $4,796,965. The grant would cover $3,8837,000 and the city covering the remaining cost of $959,465. The city would commit to short-term construction financing in the full estimated amount with the city’s share of the cost, $959,465, being converted to long-term financing following the projects completion.

Providing an overview of the plans prior to the Common Council’s vote was Andrea Piedigrossi, Director of the Youth Bureau for the City of Cortland. Piedigrossi says their goal is to update the bathhouse, the pavilions, add more greenspace, but most importantly are ADA improvements.

Asides from an ADA ramp to the beach and beach wheelchair, additional ADA improvements will also be implemented.

“{This} will include ADA accessible grills and picnic tables, bench’s.” Piedigrossi says.

The bathhouse currently does not have a changing room, just an outdoor shower. Work would add changing rooms, additional bathrooms, a community room, lifeguard area, and storage.

Piedigrossi says the application for the grant is due by the end of this week with the city expected to hear if they’re awarded the grant sometime in early December.