NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue joined Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., Congresswoman Grace Meng, Council Member Shekar Krishnan, Council Member Sandra Ung, Representatives from Community Boards 4, 6, 7, and 8, Senior Swimmers from Roy Wilkins, St. John’s, and Al Oerter Recreation Centers, and community members to officially reopen the Flushing Meadows Aquatics Center to the public and debut brand new programming.
“We are beyond excited to reopen this beloved Aquatics Center to the community, a true focal point for water education, swim training, and exercise for many Queens swimmers,” said Parks Commissioner Donoghue. “In addition to the work done on the facility to increase the Center’s longevity, programming here will be better than ever — as part of the reopening, five swim classes are returning, and we’re even introducing two new classes for the first time ever.”
The Aquatics Center will once again provide important pool access in Central Queens. As part of the reopening, Parks is introducing two brand new aquatics classes to the Aquatics Center, including:
- Swim Instruction Program (SIP) for Water Safety Instructors, an advanced swim class with the goal of teaching swimmers how to become Water Safety Instructors;
- Youth and Adult Hydro-Fit, a form of competitive swim training and conditioning, including general dry-land training exercises.
Programming at the pool will also feature returning swim classes like Swim for Life, Learn to Swim, Youth Swim Teams, Adult and Senior water Aerobics, and Adaptive Aquatics.
The Flushing Meadows Aquatics Center is reopening to the public after closing in January 2020 due to emergency netting installation on the interior roof and repair of the pool floor, with a delayed opening due to pandemic impacts. An additional project to repair and upgrade the roof of the Aquatics Center will begin in in 2025.
Recreation memberships are free for youth and young adults through the age of 24.
Since 1910, NYC Parks has provided the most affordable and extensive network of recreational services throughout New York City. Parks’ 36 recreation centers offer facilities such as indoor pools, weight rooms, basketball courts, and dance studios, art studios, game rooms, and libraries. All recreation centers also offer a range of programs for people of all ages.
The largest recreation center ever built inside a New York City Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park Aquatics Center and Ice Rink is home to an Olympic-size swimming pool with adjustable floor and diving tank for competitions, as well as a year-round NHL-regulation hockey rink. The 110,000 square-foot facility is accessible to those with disabilities.