October 15, 2025
Speaker Heastie and Assemblymember Kelles Announce $13 Million for the Alex Haley Municipal Pool
Pictured in the photo at GIAC with Speaker Heastie is Assemblymember Anna Kelles, GIAC Director Dr. Leslyn McBean-Clairborne and staff of the GIAC.
Speaker Carl Heastie continued his statewide tour today with Assemblymember Anna Kelles, visiting the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) and announcing $13 million to renovate and construct a year-round enclosure for the Alex Haley Municipal Pool.
“This funding is critical in keeping the Alex Haley Municipal Pool safe and accessible for Ithaca’s families,” said Speaker Heastie. “These renovations will allow for year-round programming and services, from having a safe gathering space to providing swimming lessons to more people – giving them a lifesaving lifelong skill. I’m glad I could be here today with Assemblymember Kelles to announce this important investment.”
“I am honored to have Speaker Heastie join me here today with the amazing leaders and dedicated staff of the Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) at the Alex Haley Municipal Pool, which has served Ithaca’s Northside for over 30 years,” said Assemblymember Kelles. “I thank Speaker Heastie for championing the effort with me to secure this investment so that we can keep this pool open and accessible to everyone, year round. Renovating the Alex Haley Municipal Pool has been a top priority and now with this much-needed funding we can finally secure a bright future year for this vital community space.”
The Alex Haley Municipal Pool in Ithaca’s Northside currently serves more than 12,000 visitors each summer and provides affordable swimming lessons, youth employment and a gathering space for underprivileged families. Built in 1993, aging infrastructure and other environmental impacts have left the pool increasingly vulnerable and costly to maintain. This $13 million investment will allow GIAC to rebuild and expand the facility to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, add modern locker rooms and construct a movable, energy-efficient enclosure that would transform it into a year-round recreation hub. This will make swimming lessons and other services available to Ithaca families year round, and support 40 jobs.