Says County Received No NY SWIMS Funding
By Hank Russell
Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico is calling on Governor Kathy Hochul to provide more money for Suffolk County so that they can have their own aquatic center, like their counterparts in Nassau have.
In a copy of a letter obtained by Long Island Life & Politics, Panico wrote to Hochul that there is “an important need” for the county to receive its fair share of NY SWIMS funding. He said that he is “advocating for greater equity” when it comes to how the money will be distributed.
According to the state’s website, the NY SWIMS program offers grants to acquire, design, construct or reconstruct facilities, provide major renovations, improvements, and modernization or rehabilitation of swimming facilities and natural swimming areas.
“While New York State has committed $200 million across 57 projects statewide through the NY SWIMS Initiative, zero funding was received by any entity in Suffolk County, revealing a clear gap in regional aquatic awards,” Panico wrote in his letter.
The supervisor pointed out that over 2,000 children in Suffolk who are on organized swim teams, as well as “a great number” of residents who need aquatic facilities to stay in shape, for physical rehabilitation or for recreational activities. Additionally, he said he is looking to construct a regional indoor facility that would be modeled afterthe Nassau County Aquatic Center at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow.
“That facility has shown how a single, well–designed center can support athletics, youth and scholastic competition, public swim instruction, aquatic fitness, therapeutic programming, and year–round community use,” he said in his letter. “A Suffolk County facility of similar scope would advance shared State priorities, including water safety education, drowning prevention, youth development, public health, senior wellness, and economic activity generated by athletic tourism.”
According to Panico, although “tens of millions of dollars” went to other parts of the state, Long Island received only $400,000 in second-round funding. “[That amount] does not reflect the region’s population, participation levels, or demonstrated need,” he wrote.
LILP reached out to Hochul’s office for a response.
“The Town of Brookhaven submitted an application during the second round of NY SWIMS funding, and like all proposals, it was evaluated through a competitive process. However, Governor Hochul remains committed to working with Supervisor Panico and looks forward to learning more about his proposal to see if there is another avenue to assist,” Hochul spokesperson Gordon Tepper said.