After all those years of use, the pool is in need of major renovations and thanks to a grant from New York Swims Program, an exciting new Welch Field Pool Renovation project is underway. The total cost of this pool renovation is $1,150,000 with a 20% match from the village ($230,000) and 80% from the state ($920,000).

The Pool Renovation has two parts. The first is demolition of the Pool House and the construction of a new one. The second is demolition of the old pool deck and building a new one.

The timeline for the completion of this project is projected over the coming year. In August, the two construction parts will be going out to bid, for construction of the new pool house, and construction of the new deck.

The Village will do the demolition, saving money and offsetting the 20% required match.

Construction is projected to begin in October with the demolition of the pool house. Headers and footers for the new pool house are scheduled to be done before winter so that interior work can be continued through the colder months.

The new deck will be constructed in the spring and if all goes as planned, the work will be completed by June 1, 2026, in time for next year’s summer seasonal use.

The pool is open approximately 70 hours each week and the list of programs offers something for every generation. More than 200 youth take swimming lessons each season. And 50 to 70 parents and babies enjoy special swimming class time (Wee Woozles). Another 50 to 70 adults enjoy swimming laps (Early Bird Adult Lap Swim) and Aquacize classes.

In addition to the recreational opportunities the public pool offers, it also employs a number of seasonal workers, including seventeen lifeguards and two support staff. These are part-time positions and great opportunities for younger people. Twelve of these workers are between fifteen and nineteen years old. Every lifeguard must pass the American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Class, which also includes first aid and CPR training. In addition, the department conducts weekly training.

Every summer hundreds of people enjoy the pool at Welch Field. This pool renovation project was made possible by a grant initiative of Gov. Kathy Hochul, which intended to improve swimming facilities and pool safety around the state of New York. When Andrew became aware of the opportunity to apply for this grant, he had to act quickly to put together the application. This project has received support from many local officials including State Sen. George Borrello.

Once the Welch Field Pool Renovation Project is completed, Westfield residents can look forward to many more years of fun at the facility. For more information and a schedule of activities and events, visit: https://westfieldny.com/recreation/westfield or their Facebook page.