Islip Town pools set to close may be fixed

Two Islip Town pools slated for closure this summer could be back in the swim, town officials said Thursday.

The grants are to be used for capital improvements -- still leaving the town without operational funding. But town officials say they are seeking to partner with a private group to shoulder responsibility for operating the pools.

Absent a public-private partnership, Councilman John C. Cochrane Jr. said the town is looking for money in its general fund.

Town officials defunded the crumbling pools amid a $26 million budget deficit that triggered a 28 percent tax hike.

"It's very important for the kids and the families," Cochrane said. "We're looking at every way we can to find funding sources to get these assets open for the community."

Renee Ortiz, a community activist who has rallied against the closures, said Thursday that the grant was a "good step," but added, "there's still a lot of . . . unanswered questions."

Ortiz, who sits on the Community Development Agency board, said town officials have not been transparent about the reasoning for closing the pools and plans for funding operations. She said the town has ignored her request for a list of needed pool repairs.

Councilman Anthony S. Senft Jr. said he's "hopeful" the pools open this summer.

"We encourage a private partner to come in," said Senft, who said he envisions a private company or a YMCA or Boys & Girls Club. "Government is not the best at operating a pool. Others can do it more efficiently and less expensively."