Elting Gymnasium Renovation
This project is part of a comprehensive, thoughtful and planned approach by New York State, SUNY and SUNY New Paltz to make significant, long-term investments in our campus infrastructure, with the express purpose of enhancing the student experience for generations to come.
Project: Renovation
Estimated Construction Start: Summer 2026
Estimated Construction Finish: 2029
Estimated Cost: $74M (Source: State University Construction Fund)
Summary: This renovation will include a full replacement of Elting Pool, which is necessary to meet modern NCAA standards for varsity swimming training and competition as well as renovations of the Elting Gymnasium interior. All Athletic & Wellness Center facilities – fitness centers, the indoor track, the 1,800-seat basketball arena – will remain open to the community. Hawks Swimming teams will continue to compete using alternative facilities in the region and in our athletic conference. All swimming activities at Elting Pool, including community swim programs, will be suspended for the duration of the construction.
Construction on Elting Gymnasium and Pool is expected to begin in summer 2026. The facilities will remain open and available prior to the beginning of construction.
This is a substantial renovation project that is forecast to take about three years to complete. We are currently estimating that the work will finish and the facilities will reopen in 2029.
Once construction begins, Elting Gymnasium and Pool will be closed. The Athletic & Wellness Center will remain open and available to the community.
This is a full-scale interior upgrade of the 60-year-old Elting Gymnasium designed to update training and support spaces for both teams and recreation as well as Athletic, Wellness & Recreation Department offices in the building.
It includes a full replacement of Elting Pool, which is necessary as our current pool is approaching the end of its functional lifecycle. The renovation will ensure that Elting Pool meets all NCAA guidelines necessary for our varsity Swimming teams to safely train and compete.
It will also allow for more flexibility in how the campus provides recreational & wellness opportunities for students, faculty, staff and, as available, members of the surrounding community.
Yes. The 57,000-square-foot Athletic & Wellness Center, which houses cardiovascular and weight training fitness centers, an indoor track, 1,800-seat basketball arena and many other facilities, will remain open to students and members throughout the Elting Gym renovation.
Yes. Our NCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s Swimming teams will continue to operate and compete. However, their training and sanctioned meets will take place at alternative facilities in the region and in our athletic conference for the duration of the Elting Gymnasium and Pool construction project.
Unfortunately, all recreational and community swim activities at Elting Pool will be suspended for the duration of the construction, as our campus does not have an alternate facility where these activities can continue while Elting Gymnasium and Pool are closed.
Alternate pools available to the public during construction include:
- Year round: Kingston YMCA, Goshen Community Pool, Middleton.
- Summer: Moriello, Ulster County, Rosendale, and Kingston.
