East Meadow, NY –Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi, joined by Deputy County Executive of Parks, Public Works and Partnerships Michael Klein, Nassau County Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury), Deputy Presiding Officer Roger Corbin (D-Westbury), and members of the business community, today described the range of initiatives that have transformed the county’s Aquatic Center in Eisenhower Park from what he called an “underutilized and mismanaged resource” that was nearly privatized into a “treasure that has become resident- and family-friendly, as well as a great venue for world-class swimming tournaments and county high school competitions.”

County Executive Suozzi, joined by Nassau County Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury), left, and Deputy Commissioner Deidra Clark-Towers, bottom right, visit with members of an “Aqua-Robics” class at the Aquatic Center

Speaking inside the newly renovated fitness center overlooking the Olympic-sized pool, County Executive Suozzi said, “For several years after its construction in 1998 for the Goodwill Games, the Aquatic Center was a neglected asset that was also a burden on the taxpayer. During my administration, we have laid out a clearly defined set of goals to change that equation. Today, 18 months after we put in place new management, the Center is on far firmer footing than it has been in years.”

Changes at the Center include family memberships for both pool and fitness facilities, a 400 percent increase in revenues from the family-friendly and adult swimming programs offered and physical renovation of the facility. In addition, the Center is playing host to such major events as the FINA World Cup Swim Meet held in February.

“The new fitness center here at the Nassau County Aquatic Center will be an additional enticement for members of this great facility," said Presiding Officer Jacobs.

"The legislature has always been very supportive of the Aquatic Center and its mission and we are pleased to see these wonderful improvements," said Deputy Presiding Officer Corbin.

County Executive Suozzi said the purpose of the event was to “spread the good news” about the range of positive changes that have taken place at the Center and to encourage Nassau County residents “to come in and experience for themselves this spectacular facility.”

As part of that effort, the County Executive announced that during the school break the last week of April, the county will offer a “Be Our Guest” program, providing free admission for one child accompanied by a paying adult.

According to County Executive Suozzi, the introduction of an ambitious schedule of swimming programs for families, adults and senior citizens was among the most important new initiatives at the Center. Currently, 180 lessons per week are being offered, compared with 12 prior to the institution of new management in October 2003.

“In our swimming programs, we have seen revenues jump fourfold between 2003 and 2004, and that’s all been through word-of-mouth advertising,” County Executive Suozzi said. “Clearly, the Center is doing a far better job of serving the community and paying for itself.”

At the same time, the Center has played host to a number of major swimming events, including February’s FINA World Cup, which brought together world-class competitors from three dozen countries. Additionally, it continues to serve as a venue for Nassau County high school teams, for both practices and competitions. County Executive Suozzi said that talks are taking place to bring the FINA World Cup to the Center in 2006, along with a FINA water polo event this summer.

The physical renovation of the 81,000-square-foot Center is another positive development the County Executive highlighted. This includes the relocation of the fitness center to an attractive room above the pool and the addition of state-of-the-art equipment and new fitness programs.

“The bottom line is that the Center is following through on a very ambitious plan to serve residents on a number of fronts,” said County Executive Suozzi. “We are providing family-friendly, adult and senior citizen programs in an environment that is absolutely first class. We are serving our county high schools by providing their swim teams with an Olympic-caliber setting. Also, we are bringing world-class swim events and their attendant economic benefits to the county through our association with FINA.”

The initiatives at the Aquatic Center are part of the larger “Come Back” plan for the Nassau County Department of Parks, Recreation and Museums announced by County Executive Suozzi on January 19, 2005. In that major address, the County Executive laid out a comprehensive plan to restore the parks system that incorporates $18 million in spending and a new management system stressing accountability and responsibility.

For more information, contact David Ring or Cindy Gillen of the Nassau County Department of Parks, Recreation and Museums at 516-572-0218.