New York will provide up to $9.5 million in capital funding for a sports-field renovation and drinking-water treatment upgrades in Rockville Centre, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday.
The Nassau County village is slated to receive $2.5 million for the Hickey-Joyce Field Complex and up to $7 million for its municipal water filtration system. The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York will administer the state funding, the governor's office said.
Athletic fields
The Hickey-Joyce project has a total estimated cost of $7.2 million. Plans call for synthetic-turf infields, sod outfields, new backstops and fencing, improved lighting, spectator seating and a press box at Hickey Field, home to the Rockville Centre Little League.
The announcement also identifies $2 million in federal funding secured by U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen for the field project. Assemblymember Judy Griffin said she secured $2 million from the state Assembly in July for the athletic complex.
Mayor Francis Murray said the field work is intended to make the athletic complex more inclusive for players and spectators. Griffin said the broader plan also includes a tee ball field, batting cages, a renovated playground and walkways, with the village's Challenger League among the intended users.
Water filtration
The separate water project is estimated at $8 million, with state capital funding of up to $7 million. The upgrades are intended to improve the village system's ability to remove iron and 1,4-dioxane from drinking water, according to the governor's office.
Murray described the planned work as construction of the village's third iron-removal treatment plant.
The announcement described 1,4-dioxane as a solvent and potential carcinogen.
The newly announced state contributions total up to $9.5 million; the estimated costs of the two projects total $15.2 million.
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