Senator Young Announces A $200,000 Grant That Will Help Renovate The William O. Smith Recreation Center

OLEAN – Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I-57th District) today announced she has secured $200,000 to assist the City of Olean with renovations to the William O. Smith Recreation Center.

The Recreation Center is an important community hub for Olean and the surrounding areas, hosting athletic tournaments and sporting contests for area schools, club teams and other groups.

“The William O. Smith Recreation Center is one of the predominant recreation centers for hockey and other sporting events in the area. The center accommodates schools, club sports organizations, and residents who use it for year-round activities. Whether it’s a hockey game for the youth and adult hockey leagues, public free skating or any of the other tremendous local events hosted at the Recreation Center, almost everyone can find a way the Center has impacted their life,” said Senator Young.

“This grant funding is especially good news, because it means city taxpayers won’t incur a good portion of renovation costs and it ensures the City can continue making upgrades to the Center. The funding also will go a long way to bring relief for taxpayers in the long-term, as the upgrades will save the city money from ongoing maintenance costs,” said Senator Young.

City of Olean Mayor William Aiello said, “The City of Olean is very excited and grateful to receive this grant from Senator Young and we thank her for her strong and continual commitment to the City of Olean. The William O. Smith Recreation Center is the hub of activity in Olean. It hosts skating and hockey in the winter, swimming and roller derby in the summer.  The Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors a home show at the facility in the spring, and the City of Olean Recreation and Youth Bureau holds numerous events throughout the year at the center.  The upgrades and repairs funded through Senator Young’s grant will allow another generation of Olean residents to enjoy the variety of activities that take place at the Recreation Center.”

The city has planned a $2.7 million renovation project for the Recreation Center. Funding from the grant secured by Senator Young will be used in part for work on the existing rink floor, frost removal, construction of the new concrete floor, installation of a new refrigeration system, installation of a waste heat system, and removal, storage and reinstallation of dasher boards.

The city also has acquired grant funding from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in the amount of $500,000 and Empire State Development in the amount of $420,000.

“Enhancing quality of life opportunities has a direct impact on our city’s economy and people’s lives. When fully renovated, the William O. Smith Center will be yet another shining example of what makes Olean great, and what happens when people work together,” Senator Young said.