PLATTSBURGH — Those who have not made it to the Plattsburgh City Beach yet will be in for a treat when they get there.
In the off-season, the City of Plattsburgh made improvements to the beach’s main area that will make it more enjoyable for beachgoers. Improvements include new bathroom facilities, an outdoor rinse station on the west side of the main beach building and a new roof.
The new bathrooms have been in the works since last fall and were completed recently. Mayor Wendell Hughes said the new roof was a last minute, necessary addition this spring.
“How do you put two bathrooms and a roofing in a building that needs a new roof?” he said.
“I didn’t want to spend $52,000, but in the same token, what if we have a leak in it and it damages our new investment? We just put a ton of money into this building.”
Including the amount for the new roof, the total project cost came to $546,740. The project was paid for through the city’s general fund, Hughes said.
Nikolas Koktowski, the city’s recreation coordinator, said the bathrooms were built in a portion of the main beach building that was previously used for storage.
“If you look at it, you’re like, ‘that’s been here, right?’ because the building is still the same, they were just able to reconfigure the inside space,” Koktowski said.
In addition to the two community bathroom facilities, a private, family restroom with a changing table was also added. Koktowski said the rinse-off station is something they’re also excited about having.
“That’s one of the most important things for the public — just those little extras,” he said.
“Little things like that make a huge difference,” Hughes said.
Hughes said the new bathrooms and the convenience of their location to the most popular area of the beach, not only makes it easier for beachgoers but for those who might have a disability as well.
Before, people had to venture a far distance to the other bathroom facilities located on the southern end of the beach. A trek through the sand made it even tougher on people who may have physical limitations.
“Now it’s easier, you can pretty much go concrete to concrete, and then we have the mats that go out to the water so they can actually get to the water too,” he said, referring to the accessibility mats that were gifted to the beach from the Sunrise Rotary in 2023.
“We take for granted every day we can get up and walk on our own two feet. To me, that’s a huge thing, because people, I’m sure that are mobility challenged, are going to appreciate having a real bathroom.”
Hughes said would like to see more investment in the City Beach eventually — possibly a park or playground if they could get funding — but this was a step in the right direction for now.
“We’re going forward,” he said.