Press Releases

Kohler, Which Loses Half a Foot of Water Each Night, Dates Back to 1950s and is in Severe Need of Repair or Replacement to Ensure Continued Access to Swimming Facilities in City of Tonawanda

Kohler Pool is a Vital Resource for Families Without Pools - Teaching Kids Water Safety Skills, Providing Summer Jobs for Teens, Opening Access to Healthy Recreation

CITY OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. - Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) was joined today by City of Tonawanda Mayor William Strassburg to announce $850,000 in federal funding to kickstart the City’s Kohler Pool project. Kohler, constructed in the 1950s, is in dire need of repairs or replacement in order to ensure that the Tonawanda community maintains access to summer swimming facilities. During the summer season when the pool is fully filled, it loses approximately half a foot of water each evening, requiring refilling and unnecessarily straining the city’s water resources. Kohler Pool is centrally located in the City, providing access to the nearby Tonawanda Youth Center and to the Boys & Girls Club of the Northtowns’ Newman Family Clubhouse. Kennedy’s funding represents the first public funding committed to the Kohler rehabilitation and reconstruction project. With Tonawanda hosting three bodies of water in the Niagara River, Ellicott Creek, and the Erie Canal, providing youth with access to a safe place to swim is vitally important to prevent dangerous activities.

“Every child deserves access to safe, clean, accessible swimming facilities, regardless of zip code,” said Congressman Kennedy. “Swimming skills save lives and stay with children throughout their lives as they grow into adulthood. This funding represents a significant public investment in ensuring Kohler Pool gives future generations a place to cool off during the summer, puts some spending money in the pockets of teen lifeguards, and anchors a vibrant hard-working community.”

“I wish to thank Congressman Kennedy for his support,” said City of Tonawanda Mayor William Strassburg. “The pool is an asset to our community and serves hundreds of residents on a daily basis. Without this investment, the future viability of the pool was in doubt.”

“I thank Congressman Tim Kennedy for obtaining this much needed funding for the City of Tonawanda and our Kohler pool,” said Second Ward Councilmember Chris Fisher. “Swimming is a fundamental skill that children of all ages can learn and explore at a public pool. Congressman Kennedy knows the importance of having access to a public pool and it shows with this funding. The children, and adults, of the City of Tonawanda will get to continue the use of a high-quality and affordable public swimming pool thanks to Congressman Kennedy.”

“Progress like this and partnerships with our Legislators is vital to the success of our City and growth in our community,” said Fourth Ward Councilmember Jason Voisinet.

“This will help us fix infrastructure issues that have been neglected,” said Dave Fronczak, Superintendent of Public Works. “It is work that needs to be completed to keep the pool open and operational.”

“I commend Congressman Kennedy for securing this federal investment for the City of Tonawanda and for continuing to push this project forward,” said Senator Jeremy Zellner. “Kohler Pool has been an important part of this community for generations, and this long-awaited investment is a major step toward restoring a space that local families and residents rely on every summer. In a city surrounded by water, places like Kohler Pool do more than bring the community together, they also help kids learn important water safety skills and provide families with a safe, accessible place to gather during the warmer months.”

“Robust recreation facilities are essential to the quality of life in a community, and pools especially are invaluable assets,” said Assemblyman Bill Conrad. “Swimming offers families a path toward better wellness and greater comfort in the heat of summer, and in our region, so rich with natural waterways, it's critical that we offer people of all ages safe, affordable access to swimming lessons. Kohler Pool is a site with great history and even greater potential, and I'm thrilled that Congressman Kennedy is partnering with Mayor Strassburg and the City of Tonawanda to deliver this much-needed funding for its replacement. We all benefit from an investment like this – and I have no doubt that City residents and Western New Yorkers will be reaping the rewards of it for generations to come.”

“Access to safe, modern recreational spaces is essential to the health and well-being of our communities, and this investment in the Kohler Pool Replacement Project is a major win for the residents of the City of Tonawanda,” said Erie County Legislator John Bargnesi. “I want to thank Congressman Tim Kennedy for continuing to deliver critical federal resources to Western New York and Mayor Strassburg for his leadership and advocacy on behalf of the city.”

"Thank you Congressman Kennedy,” said Tonawanda resident Amanda Shepler. “Kohler Pool has been the highlight of a classic Tonawanda summer since 1957. This funding will help us to keep it open for another 70 years of summer fun."

Pending further funding sources, construction is slated to begin in 2027.

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