(Long Island, NY) Second District County Legislator Jay Schneiderman was successful in his effort to move forward to next year the construction of a health and sports facility, including an Olympic-sized indoor swimming pool, at the eastern campus of Suffolk County Community College.
In the original capital budget proposed by County Executive Steve Bellone, construction funds were delayed until 2015 at the earliest. The Bipartisan Capital Budget Working Group, chaired by Legislator Schneiderman, pushed the construction funding up to 2014, and the full Legislature approved that plan at its June 4 meeting. That means work will begin next year and should be completed the following year.
“This will be the first public indoor swimming pool in the Town of Southampton and the need for a pool has been well documented for years,” said Legislator Schneiderman. “This pool will not only be for college students, it will be open to the public and will provide a safe place for our children to learn how to swim before they jump in the ocean. It will be available year-round to residents.”
There are currently no facilities for physical education courses or athletic programs at the eastern campus. To have access to athletic facilities, students had to travel to SCCC campuses in Selden or Brentwood. With many students dependent on public transportation, that is often difficult or impossible.
“This facility will make our campus a complete campus like the two in western Suffolk,” said Legislator Schneiderman, who pointed out that there are more than 3,000 students at the eastern campus.
The construction of the pool, gymnasium and health and fitness center will cost a total of $17 million, with half of that cost picked up by New York State. It will be a total of 48,817 square feet, including two classrooms/multi-purpose rooms, office space, a gymnasium, locker rooms, the pool, and strength training and aerobic rooms.
Legislator Schneiderman said the facility will generate revenue for the college on weekends and evenings, when it can be used by outside groups for a variety of events.
“This facility will be a huge boost not only for the eastern campus of SCCC but for the entire East End community,” said Legislator Schneiderman. He said he expects residents of Hamptons Bays, East Quogue, Westhampton Beach, Riverhead, Eastport, Manorville and other neighboring communities to use the pool extensively. He said it might even be possible for local school districts to establish swim teams using the pool at the college.
Representing the South Fork, Jay Schneiderman is the Suffolk County Legislator for the Second Legislative District. For more information, or to arrange an interview, please call (631) 852-8400.
