Hochul Commits $9.5M to Rockville Centre Water Plant and Ballfield Projects

Governor Kathy Hochul announced up to $9.5 million in state capital funding on October 20 for two projects in the Village of Rockville Centre on Long Island: up to $7 million toward an $8 million water filtration upgrade to remove iron and 1,4-dioxane, and $2.5 million toward a $7.2 million renovation of the Hickey-Joyce Field Complex. The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) will administer the money.

What Happened

The state release describes two separate capital projects with a combined estimated cost of $15.2 million, of which the state is contributing up to $9.5 million (Office of the Governor; FingerLakes1). DASNY President and CEO Robert J. Rodriguez said the authority is pleased to administer funding for infrastructure residents use every day, from recreation facilities to drinking water (Office of the Governor).

The Water Project

The larger award, up to $7 million, goes to an $8 million upgrade of the village's municipal water filtration to improve its ability to remove iron and 1,4-dioxane, which the release describes as a solvent and potential carcinogen (Office of the Governor). Mayor Francis X. Murray described the work as the village's third Iron Removal Treatment Plant (Office of the Governor).

State Senator Siela Bynoe said the project will remove iron and 1,4-dioxane from the village's drinking water, and Nassau County Legislator Scott M. Davis said the funding improves quality of life without adding costs for village taxpayers (Office of the Governor). U.S. Representative Laura Gillen said she will continue to seek resources for Nassau County, including funding for the village's water treatment.

The release does not identify which wells the new plant will serve, a design firm, a contractor or a construction schedule.

The Ballfield Project

The $2.5 million state award supports a $7.2 million renovation of the Hickey-Joyce Field Complex, home of the Rockville Centre Little League (Office of the Governor). Planned work includes:

• Synthetic turf infields and sod outfields.
• New mesh backstops and fencing.
• Upgraded field lighting and spectator seating.
• A new press box at Hickey Field.

Assemblymember Judy Griffin said the broader plan also adds a tee-ball field, batting cages, a renovated playground and walkways, with an inclusive, accessible design, and that the governor's funding allows the village to break ground (Office of the Governor). The field project also has $2 million in federal funding secured by Representative Gillen and $2 million from the State Assembly that Griffin secured in July (FingerLakes1). Little League President Peter Klugewicz said the league's board has worked for more than three years to improve its fields (Office of the Governor).

Where Things Stand

• Water filtration: Up to $7 million state, $8 million total. No schedule published.
• Hickey-Joyce Field Complex: $2.5 million state, $2 million federal and $2 million from the Assembly toward a $7.2 million total. Officials say the funding allows groundbreaking, but no date was given.
• Administration: DASNY.

The reported public contributions to the field project add up to $6.5 million. If all of them count toward the $7.2 million estimate, about $0.7 million would remain to be identified; the release does not address the balance.

Implications for Owners, Developers, Contractors and Subs

For municipal owners, the announcement is another example of the state using DASNY-administered capital grants to fund local projects. State-funded work generally comes with documentation and reporting requirements, so villages should plan staff time for compliance alongside design.

For water contractors and equipment suppliers, a new iron removal plant that also targets 1,4-dioxane points to process equipment, piping, electrical, controls and building work. Contractors in the region should watch for village bid notices once design is complete.

For sitework and sports facility contractors, the field project combines synthetic turf, lighting, fencing and small structures, a common package for specialty athletic contractors and site subcontractors.

State water funding has been active this fall. WCG covered the latest statewide round in New York Awards Nearly $500M in Water Grants, $52M to Finger Lakes, and DASNY's role on large public buildings in $1.7 Billion Wadsworth Center Lab Tops Out in Albany.

What to Watch

• Design and bid timing for the village's third iron removal plant.
• A groundbreaking date for the Hickey-Joyce Field Complex.
• How the remaining field project funding is secured.
• Additional state or federal funding for Long Island systems treating 1,4-dioxane.

Bottom Line

Rockville Centre now has up to $9.5 million in state capital money lined up for a new water treatment plant and a ballfield rebuild. The water plant is the larger and more technical job. Neither project has a published construction schedule, so the next step to watch is village procurement.

Related Coverage

• New York Awards Nearly $500M in Water Grants, $52M to Finger Lakes
• Update: NY Opens $76M Third Round of County Infrastructure Grants
• $1.7 Billion Wadsworth Center Lab Tops Out in Albany

Image credit: Office of Governor Kathy Hochul. Image from the source article.

Sources

• Office of the Governor, "Governor Hochul Announces Up to $9.5 Million in State Capital Funding for Rockville Centre Projects": https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-95-million-state-capital-funding-rockville-centre-projects
• FingerLakes1, "Rockville Centre receives up to $9.5 million for fields and water system": https://www.fingerlakes1.com/2026/10/21/rockville-centre-receives-up-to-9-5-million-for-fields-and-water-system/