FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 14, 2005
Contact: Barbara LoMoriello, Legislative Aide -- #(631) 854-4500

Preserving Huntington’s Past by Strengthening Our Future
Cooper Secures Funding for Coindre Hall Boathouse and Creates Citizens Advisory Committee for Historic Site

Surrounded by rowers, dog lovers, historic preservationists, local residents, and county and town officials, Suffolk County Legislator Jon Cooper (D-Huntington) announced several new initiatives important to the preservation and continued enjoyment of the Coindre Hall boathouse on Huntington Harbor.

At a community forum Cooper hosted on May 25th at the Coindre Hall mansion, situated on the grounds of the 33-acre West Neck Farm County Park in Huntington, diverse groups expressed their concerns about the site acquired by Suffolk County in 1973. The most pressing of these was the dilapidated and dangerous state of the Coindre Hall boathouse, which was built in 1921 and is currently used by several academic and civic rowing associations to store their sculls, skiffs and other equipment.

In the 2006 Suffolk County Omnibus Capital Budget approved on June 7, Cooper was able to secure $800,000 in funding to restore the historic boathouse. Along with $600,000 in matching funds to be provided by the Town of Huntington, plus an additional $200,000 in County funds already set aside for stabilization of the building, this total of $1.6 million will be the funding source for the first phase of an expected 2-year total restoration of the boathouse. Representatives of one of the most established and highly regarded rowing clubs in the country—the 500-member Sagamore Rowing Association—who have trained thousands of rowers since its inception over a quarter century ago and who count numerous Olympians, World, National Team members and medallists, among their past an current members, were particularly elated about Cooper’s efforts on their sport’s behalf.

"Rowing is one of the healthiest activities anybody, age 16 or 65, can get involved in," says Spencer Ross of the Sagamore Rowing Association. "By restoring the boathouse, Legislator Cooper is not only preserving a valuable piece of Huntington’s past, he’s also ensuring a healthy future for all the kids and adults who row here on Long Island."

But Cooper’s activities at Coindre Hall aren’t only limited to the boathouse. At today’s event Cooper also introduced to the media members of his newly created Coindre Hall/West Neck Farm Citizens Advisory Committee. Cooper decided to create the Citizens Advisory Committee after he realized there were many diverse views expressed at his community forum about appropriate uses for Coindre Hall. Not only rowers but also many dog owners use the site as a place for their pooches to meet and socialize with other canines. Historic preservationists and neighborhood activists also expressed dismay about the dizzying array of rumors heard about future plans for Coindre Hall. By bringing together concerned citizens from a variety of viewpoints, Cooper hopes this group can act as a steering committee to help determine the historic site’s future.

"Every crew team members knows you can’t win a race without a good coxswain," says Cooper. "That’s what I hope this committee can do. Help to steer the County towards a future for Coindre Hall that is beneficial to all the diverse groups who use it and love it."