After years of planning, funding efforts, and delays, North Tonawanda officials are preparing to move forward with construction of a new aquatic facility that will replace the long-closed Memorial Pool.
Mayor Austin Tylec recently confirmed that contracts have now been approved, finally clearing the way for work to begin at the Payne Park site. The project has been in development for more than six years and is intended to modernize recreational offerings while addressing longstanding safety concerns tied to the aging Memorial Pool.
The original pool, which opened in 1947, was permanently closed in 2023 after officials determined it had deteriorated beyond safe use. The structure had significant code deficiencies and accessibility limitations including an inability to accommodate individuals with disabilities…