Islip selects contractor to renovate pool at Roberto Clemente Park

The Islip Town board has approved the selection of a Holtsville contractor to handle the $2.78 million swimming pool renovation at the newly reopened Roberto Clemente Park in Brentwood, and accepted a separate $2 million in state funding to build a new spray park there.

The goal is to finish both projects in time for next summer, according to town officials.

At Tuesday’s meeting, the board unanimously voted in favor of selecting Bensin Contracting Inc., which submitted the lowest total bid for the renovation at $2.78 million.

“We obviously went with the low bidder, someone who has a very good reputation in this field,” Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter said at the meeting. “We are hopeful this will move forward promptly.”

The town has been scrutinized over its progress in rehabilitating the 27.9-acre park, which reopened July 31. It had been shuttered for more than three years after 40,000 tons of contaminated debris were discovered dumped in the park’s soccer fields and recharge basin in April 2014.

The popular Olympic-sized pool at the park had already been closed after the 2012 summer season by the town, citing financial constraints. When the town reopened the park last month, many residents asked when the pool would come back as well.

The town also is building a spray park modeled after its Shipwreck Cove Spray Park in Bay Shore. The board unanimously voted Tuesday to accept $2 million state funding secured by state Assemb. Phil Ramos (D-Brentwood) to fund the spray park. The funds are offered through the State and Municipal Facilities Program administered by the Dormitory Authority of New York State.

“I’m told that shortly the first shovel is going to hit the ground for both projects,” Ramos said after the vote. “We’re putting a state-of-the-art spray park there, modeled after the one at the Bay Shore Marina. Roberto Clemente Park will be bigger and better.”

Formerly a vocal critic of the town’s handling of the park reopening, Ramos said he was optimistic the town will have both water facilities ready for next summer.

“We’ve been working with the town, not only calling them out for the delays but also assisting in bringing it back with the funding,” he said. “Now they’ll be moving forward with both projects.”