On Feb. 9, SUNY New Paltz announced the long-awaited Elting Gymnasium renovation project in an email to the campus community. The renovation is one of three major campus improvement projects set to be completed in the next five years – Peregrine Dining Hall and Shango/College Hall will also undergo construction as “part of a comprehensive, thoughtful and planned approach by New York State, SUNY and SUNY New Paltz,” The renovation, which is slated to begin in the summer of 2026, is estimated to take three years, with a goal of completion by 2029.
The renovation includes a full replacement of Elting Pool, which has effectively met “the end of its functional lifecycle,” to meet modern NCAA guidelines for varsity swim training and competition, as well as a full-scale interior upgrade of the 60-year-old Elting Gymnasium. These upgrades are designed to update training spaces for teams and recreation, including offices within the Athletic, Wellness and Recreation Center (AWC).
“I’m optimistic that our campus, students, staff and our community neighbors will be thrilled with new and updated spaces this project will provide for their use and enjoyment,” said Director of Facilities Design and Construction Megan Smailer.
The go-ahead for these renovations was a long-discussed process, as the campus itself is not solely responsible for the decisions made on projects of such scale. “It took a very long time to get the green light to start design on this project,” Smailer said. “In fact, we’ve been working on this for over a decade with our partners at the State University Construction Fund.”
The State University Construction Fund oversees construction and capital planning across all SUNY campuses. The fund’s main mission is to “expedite the construction, acquisition, reconstruction and rehabilitation or improvement of the SUNY system,” and has supported the system’s growth through the construction of over 1,000 new buildings across the state in recent years.
The planning and design of large projects like these must go through a number of processes before any actual construction can commence, considering factors such as campus life and activity. “Planning and design have numerous steps, phases and reviews, and include the challenge of balancing scope and budget,” Smailer said. “The construction takes time too, especially while coordinating around an actively used campus.”
Throughout the renovation period, SUNY New Paltz’s Division III men’s and women’s Swimming teams, both of which use the Elting Pool for practice, will continue in competition. However, their training and sanctioned meets will be held at a number of alternative locations nearby. Local recreational and community swim activities will be suspended for the duration of Elting’s renovation, but access to public pools in Kingston, Goshen and Middletown will remain available year-round.
“We are so excited about what these projects will create for the future of SUNY New Paltz, but we know in the short-term it can be disruptive for people who are here now,” said Smailer. “This journey is part of a major investment to strengthen our university for generations to come.”