Over 700 Attend Grand Re-Opening Of Pool At Roberto Clemente Park

BRENTWOOD, NY - Hundreds of residents turned out to attend the high-anticipated grand re-opening of the pool at Roberto Clemente Park in Brentwood this week.

More than 700 people enjoyed a swim in the pool on Monday night during the Town of Islip’s official celebration.

Generations of families came together with neighbors and friends for a fun-filled night of sports, crafts, games, giveaways and pool fun. The event also featured an outdoor showing of the movie "Coco."

The Olympic size pool opened for swimming on Saturday after a 6-year closure.

Following the closure of the pool, the entire park was shut down in 2014 after it was discovered that toxic waste had been illegally dumped in the park.

The park was officially reopened in July after being closed for 3 years, however the pool remained under construction.

Now, the pool has been completely rebuilt with newly tiled lap lanes, deck furniture and handicap accessible lifts was a cool respite on a hot August afternoon.

The Town Department of Public Works and Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs crews had worked around the clock to open the pool before summer’s end.

Representatives from the Suffolk County Water Authority, National Grid, PSEG and Good Samaritan Hospital were on hand distributing giveaways to those in attendance, and children of all ages enjoyed face painting courtesy of Youth Enrichment Services.

The Brentwood Fire Department made free hot dogs available, and Food Trucks offered a variety of options for all palates.

Officers from the Suffolk County Police Department joined with children in a pickup game of basketball and players from the Long Island Timberline Soccer Club took part in a soccer clinic on the field.

"Today is a remarkable day for residents of the hamlet of Brentwood, as well as for the residents of the Town of Islip as a whole," Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter said. "This project has been a partnership between the Town, community leaders and our residents. We are so very grateful to our crews who worked tirelessly to get the job done, as well as to everyone in the community for their patience. I am so very grateful that our pool is open."

Admission to Robert Clemente Pool will remain free until the pool closes for the season after Labor Day on Sept. 3.

Related:

• Local Officials, Residents 'Disappointed' In Newly Reopened Roberto Clemente Park
• Roberto Clemente Park Reopens After 3 Years
• Petition Started to Reopen Roberto Clemente Park
• Town Begins Work On Olympic-Sized Pool At Roberto Clemente Park
• Construction On Roberto Clemente Park Pool Underway
• Pool At Roberto Clemente Park Officially Reopens

Photos courtesy of the Town of Islip