After years of planning, a competitive sized pool is
now open at the Suffolk County Community College eastern campus on
Speonk-Riverhead Road following a ribbon cutting ceremony. Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman
was among the invited speakers. Mr.
Schneiderman had fought passionately for the pool when he was a Suffolk County
Legislator for 12 years. “This is truly
a dream come true, said Schneiderman.
“It took many years of hard work to get the funding for the Health and
Wellness Center but this is something the whole community can now enjoy.”
The nearly $22 million, 40,000 square foot building features
the 8 lane pool designed for competitive swimming. It will also be open to the public for either
a daily fee or a yearly membership.
“Our Parks and Recreation Department plans to use the pool
for lifeguard training and our Police Department plans to use it for dive
training,” said Schneiderman.
The Suffolk Community College pool is the first competitive
sized pool to open on the east end of Long Island in many years. The “Y” in East Hampton has a pool but many
schools and community groups have long advocated for a large pool on the East
End for swimming competitions and to help children learn how to swim.
The new facility is equipped with bleachers, a sound
system, an interactive scoreboard, LED Lighting and is ADA accessible.
The facility also features an 11,500 square foot
gymnasium with 8 courts for basketball, volleyball and badminton. It also holds an indoor track. The weight and fitness area features a rock-climbing
wall.
