A great way to cool off and have fun this summer is to visit one of the Town of Hempstead's 23 swimming pool complexes that are conveniently located all around the town. Many of them are open evenings, and during periods of very hot weather, the Department of Parks and Recreation will extend the hours, at my request, so that our residents may have the opportunity to swim and relax after a full day on the job.

Our pools are open seven days a week, and will remain open through Labor Day, Sept. 6. While daily admission fees are quite reasonable (from $4-$5 per entry), if you plan to use the pools on a regular basis, you might want to consider a seasonal pass as the most economical way to spend your time at the pool. Seasonal passes at local community pools are only $140-$165 for an entire family, and just $75-$90 for an individual for unlimited use. Fees are half-price for senior citizens, people with handicaps, or for volunteer firefighters, ambulance members or auxiliary police officers.

Pools in your neighborhood which are open to all town residents are located in Elmont (Averill Boulevard Pool, 437-5581), Wantagh (Forest City Community Park and Pool, 783-2513), Bay Park (Hewlett Point Park and Beach, 599-4064), Bellmore (Newbridge Road Pool, 783-2518), Oceanside (Oceanside Pool, 763-0709), East Meadow (Veterans Memorial Park, 296-7780), and West Hempstead (Echo Park, 483-7400). Residents of Franklin Square (Rath Park, 488-1843) and Joint District Levittown (nine pools, 933-6400) belong to special park districts and may use the pools in their local areas.

All pools are spotlessly maintained and expertly supervised by the town's award-winning lifeguard staff. Please call your nearest town pool for membership information, hours of operation, and the exact fee schedule.

Don't let the hot weather get you down. On behalf of all the members of the Hempstead Town Board, I invite you to visit a Town of Hempstead pool facility today. I know that you will thoroughly enjoy the time you spend there.