LaGuardia Community College Thanks Council Member Julie Won for $4.5 Million Capital Funding for Energy Efficiency Improvements and Community Pool Repairs

LONG ISLAND CITY, NY (September 19, 2024) — Today, Kenneth Adams, president of LaGuardia Community College/CUNY hosted New York City Council Member Julie Won (District 26), who presented him with a check for $4.5 million, on behalf of the New York City Council. The funds will enable the college to upgrade the cooling system in the college’s Shenker Hall and make necessary repairs to the college’s pool— improving energy efficiencies and enhancing facilities for students, faculty and staff, and the community.

“We are grateful to Council Member Julie Won and the New York City Council for the $4.5 million that will enable us to make critical repairs and upgrades to our college facilities. Our students are working hard to complete their certificates and earn their degrees, and we want to make sure they get to do so in facilities that are as safe and up-to-date as possible,” said President Adams. “The upgrades to Shenker Hall will ensure our students can pursue their degrees in a safe and comfortable environment. Additionally, the funding for pool repairs will enable us to address critical maintenance issues with this facility, where many community members have learned to swim, competed on youth swim teams, and exercised.”

“I’m excited to provide $4.5 million in capital funding for LaGuardia Community College’s cooling system and community pool to create an updated, safe, and comfortable learning environment for our students,” said Council Member Julie Won. “Investing in CUNY has been one of my top priorities. Since taking office, I’ve invested $7.5 million in LaGuardia’s capital and infrastructure improvements. Thank you to President Kenneth Adams for your partnership and advocacy that helped make these improvements possible.”

The $4.5 million in funding includes $2.5 million from Council Member Julie Won and the New York City Council for the Shenker Hall Cooling Tower & Chiller Replacement project and $2 million for essential repairs to the LaGuardia pool.

Shenker Hall, LaGuardia’s main building (the M-Building), first opened its doors in 1971 when the college was first founded. Today, it houses classrooms, labs, offices, a cafeteria, a gym, a performing arts theater, and three daycare facilities. The building’s cooling tower and chiller is currently prone to chronic failures. Replacement parts are no longer produced for the aging equipment.

The $2.5 million will enable the installation of a replacement chiller and cooling tower, along with associated electrical, mechanical piping, and automation controls. The new chiller will improve energy efficiency by 50% and enhance the environment with safer greenhouse gas refrigerants. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025 and should conclude by early 2027.

The design and installation for the upgrades will follow standards and requirements from American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which ensure HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems are safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible, minimize environmental impact, and protect public health.

Opened in 1992, the LaGuardia pool is part of the LaGuardia Aquatics Center, located in the college’s E-Building, Room E-155. It features a 25-yard, six-lane indoor swimming pool, staffed by certified aquatic specialists and qualified instructors. The Aquatics Center serves more than 250 individuals per day, on average, who come to the pool for lap swimming, open swimming, youth swimming clubs, and beginner to advanced swimming classes for children as young as five years old.

The Aquatics Center is part of the college’s Athletics and Recreation program, which includes a sports gymnasium and fitness center. These facilities are open year-round for walk-in recreation for the LaGuardia community. Members of the College and the community are welcome—with a membership plan or one-day pass. LaGuardia students may access these facilities at no or low cost (depending upon program enrollment).

The $2 million in funding will enable the college to complete necessary repairs to the pool, which has been deteriorating in recent years. The repairs will address roof leaks, moisture infiltration through the walls, ceiling cavities, and poor air circulation.

Work will include demolition and reconstruction of the ceiling, upgrading the ventilation system for improved air quality and temperature control, and replacing the lighting system to meet current building codes and regulations. Design and construction are scheduled to begin in April 2025 and conclude in early 2027.

In November 2022, Council Member Julie Won gave $3 million to LaGuardia Community College to support “3,000 Heroes,” an initiative to train and graduate 3,000 frontline healthcare workers over the next five years.

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LaGuardia Community College (LAGCC), a Hispanic-Serving Institution, located in Long Island City, Queens offers more than 50 associate degrees and academic certificates, and more than 65 continuing education programs to prepare New Yorkers for transfer to senior colleges and rewarding jobs and careers. An institution of the City University of New York (CUNY), the College reflects the legacy of our namesake, Fiorello H. LaGuardia, the former NYC mayor beloved for his advocacy of the underserved. Since 1971, LaGuardia’s academic programs and support services have advanced the socioeconomic mobility of students from Queens, NYC and beyond.

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