By Melanie Lekocevic
Capital Region Independent Media
COEYMANS — A project that first got its start 20 years ago is finally coming to fruition.
Town and county officials broke ground Tuesday on the permanent bathroom facility that is being built at Joralemon Park.
The town began pursuing permanent bathrooms at the park back in 2001 and got as far as installing a well and septic system, but the project stalled. Former Town Councilman Frank Stanton, who was on the board 20 years ago, joined the groundbreaking ceremony this week.
Town Supervisor George McHugh was also on the board at the time and said it was gratifying to see the project finally getting done.
“Back in 2001 I was on the town board with Frank Stanton and we made an application for a grant to get a well and septic put in in preparation for bathrooms,” McHugh said. “The well and septic were put in and nothing has happened since, until now. Thankfully, we will finally make it happen.”
Construction on the bathrooms began Monday and is expected to be finished by the middle of September.
The facility, which will be constructed of cement and block, will include a men’s and ladies’ bathroom, with a utility room in between. There will be two stalls in the ladies room and one stall and one urinal in the men’s room, with a baby changing station in both.
Joralemon Park currently uses Porta Potties.
Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy said the facility will be a benefit for the town and the people who utilize the park.
“It’s really going to be a convenience for the people who come to the park,” McCoy said. “Not everyone likes using an outhouse and it will be easier for kids and for changing babies. It’s long overdue.”
McCoy commended the town board for its vision in improving the park.
“It’s about quality of life for our residents and giving them opportunities to come out here and enjoy the park,” McCoy said.
The cost of the construction project will be paid primarily through federal funds given to the town through the American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, which was established in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The cost is $360,000 for the bid,” McHugh said. “The funds are primarily coming from our ARPA monies, and whatever balance is left over — if there are change orders or things like that — we will use fund balance from the town budget.”
ARPA funds can be used for a variety of purposes, and improving hygiene systems is on the list of approved uses.
“We reached out to the feds before we allocated that money and we made sure through our engineers and through ARPA that we could use the money for this purpose,” McHugh said.
Albany County Legislator Zachary Collins, R-Coeymans, said the bathroom facility is part of an overall improvement plan for the park, which has seen numerous renovations over the past year.
“When I was on the town board we started this process. We already put in playground equipment, we paved the tennis court and added the basketball court, paved the entrance, and this will be the cherry on top,” Collins said. “This shows we really care about quality of life and providing the residents with a nice place to go.”
The park improvements will benefit town residents and others who come to the park, Deputy Town Supervisor Brandon LeFevre said.
“It’s a great park — people come here from all over the Capital Region and surrounding states,” LeFevre said. “I saw a [license] plate here from Georgia today. The disc golf really brings people together and it’s a great way to get people outside and enjoying the outdoors.
The town has another bathroom facility project slated to begin later this summer at Coeymans Landing. A groundbreaking for that project is scheduled for August, with construction expected to be completed in November.
The Joralemon Park project is slated for completion in mid-September.
“By the end of November, both bathrooms should be fully functional and done,” McHugh said.
