Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday unveiled an investment aimed to expand access to safe swimming in parts of New York.

The governor said NY Swims will deliver $150 million in grant funding for localities to build out 10 new landmark public swimming pools in areas most in need and deploy pop-up above-ground pools to combat extreme heat.

About $60 million in competitive grant funding will go to municipalities for the deployment of innovative, floating pools that can allow New Yorkers to safely swim in natural bodies of water.

In addition, the state would create a $30 million innovative municipal grant program to fund small, mobile, pop-up swimming pools. These pools would be movable or temporary facilities that could be dispatched to block parties, parks, events, or open spaces. 

“Access to swimming isn’t just about recreation – it’s about public health and climate resiliency,” Hochul said. “NY SWIMS will be the largest statewide investment in swimming since the New Deal, expanding access for underserved communities and improving safety for kids across New York.”

More swimming means more lifeguards. So to counteract the state's lifeguard shortage, the state will offer a grant program to reimburse municipalities for expenses related to lifeguard compensation to help expand operating hours, increase staffing levels for swim programs, and widen access to public beaches and pools.

The governor said drownings in New York have reached record highs in recent years, killing 230 people in 2021.

State parks will more than double the number of pools and beaches that offer water safety instruction programs in 2024 – from 7 to 17 – phasing in the additional beaches and pools in future years.

Hochul's announcement is part of her State of the State address in which she lies out legislative priorities for this year. She will give that address on Tuesday in the state Assembly chamber in Albany.

State lawmakers returned to Albany on Wednesday to begin the 2024 legislative session.