October 16, 2024

ITHACA, N.Y. — The Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) will receive $750,000 in state funds to jump-start its new community kitchen initiative. State lawmakers also signaled interest in funding improvements to the adjacent Alex Haley Pool, potentially making it a year-round facility. State Assemblywoman Anna Kelles and New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie were on site last week to announce the two funding opportunities for the community center.The first is straightforward: GIAC will receive $750,000 to use for its renovation of the former Red & White Cafe, which the organization purchased earlier this year and intends to convert into a community kitchen with training, education and employment opportunities for local youth. The City of Ithaca, which also funds GIAC, has additionally pledged $250,000 for the renovation project. The second will have to wait until the next state budget cycle, but signals progress on the center’s long-standing need for renovations to the adjacent Alex Haley pool. Kelles and Heastie initially announced their intention to pursue $1.9 million in next year’s New York State budget to help repair the pool. But after a brief tour of the pool and a review of the prepared drawings for the renovations, Heastie said he would increase the request to $4 million in next year’s budget, which would cover the full renovation cost. Additionally, Heastie asked GIAC officials to pepare information about how much it would cost to enclose the pool, which would make it a year-round facility. Heastie’s pledge to pursue additional funding for the pool appeared to come as a surprise for attendees and GIAC Executive Director Leslyn McBean-Clairborne, who tearfully accepted the news. The announcement prompted a joyous scene at the community center, as McBean-Clairborne reacted with immediate emotion and the crowd in attendance applauded. “This is our vision […] we make it happen because we know this community needs it,” McBean-Clairborne said. “Our neighbors who live here need a place they can just walk to easily. That matters.”She also thanked Heastie and Kelles for their work at the state level to unlock the funding, and expressed optimism the funding would be approved in next year’s state budget for the pool upgrades. Credit: Casey Martin / The Ithaca VoiceRenderings of the Red & White Cafe plan, provided by architect Caroline O’Donnell and displayed at Friday’s event, include an outdoor art gallery, indoor and outdoor event and community spaces as well as a separate cafe and kitchen on the first floor. The second floor would include more event and arts spaces, plus a classroom and a roof garden. The pool, named after Ithaca native and novelist Alex Haley, has needed repairs for years. At several points Friday, it was described as being held together by “scotch tape,” despite serving dozens of families each summer through swim lessons and other programmingDuring the proceedings Friday, Heastie also informed McBean-Clairborne that he would like to cover one month of the center’s summer water bill — some $13,000.While the increased funding may change the final plans for the pool renovations, O’Donnell’s current renderings of the pool show plans to fully replace the existing lap pool and pool house with a larger, seven-lane swimming pool and a new pool house. The existing wading pool would be maintained, and a “new public lounge/event space” would be built between the pool and the neighboring basketball court. Kelles and McBean-Clairborne, who formerly served together on the Tompkins County Legislature, embraced at the podium after Kelles announced the news. “So you can take care of the kids, and we can take care of you,” Kelles said of the funding. Heastie told The Ithaca Voice after the event he views community centers like GIAC as integral. He said GIAC is particularly important because it provides opportunities for education that schools may not be able to offer, like swimming lessons and job training. “I’m a big fan of community centers, they become the hubs of communities and every community should have access to a center,” Heastie said. “One of the things I love about state tours is I get to come right into the middle of communities, on the recommendation of our great assembly members, to try to give […] whatever financial help we can give. It’s helping the people of the state.”State Assembly member Anna Kelles, State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo, GIAC Executive Director Leslyn McBean-Clairborne and Ithaca City Manager Deb Mohlenhoff. The post GIAC receives $750K for Red & White Cafe, but much more could be on the way for pool revitalization appeared first on The Ithaca Voice.

GIAC receives $750K for Red & White Cafe, but much more could be on the way for pool revitalization

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