A lifeguard enjoys the vista of the pool and the Bay as he provides protection for swimmers.

Summer life has centered around the Village’s municipal pool for Gloria and Tony DeFazio, their children and now their grandchildren.

"We went on a Mediterranean cruise and stopped in Nice where they had a pool. Everyone thought it was beautiful. It was half the size of ours here in Babylon, which makes you appreciate what we have. It is just a beautiful facility and no matter how many residents are here it never seems crowded."

The DeFazio’s children, including daughter Denise Cook, swam in the Babylon Village pool while growing up and took swimming lessons. Denise took lifeguard training courses at the pool as a teenager, and is a lifeguard at Jones Beach. Now the grandchildren are extending that tradition.

"Our family really grew up here," said Gloria DeFazio who moved to Babylon in 1956.

Diane and Mark Lesser enjoy a swim.

Diane and Mark Lesser, Babylon residents for ten years, spent one Sunday morning soaking in the pool while soaking up the beautiful panorama of the Great South Bay that hung in the background.

"It’s so relaxing," said Mark.

"We just love it," said Diane. "We just sit in the pool and look out over the Bay. This facility is priceless."

Babylon’s pool has issued 771 family passes, as well as 40 for children, 37 for adults and 102 for seniors who applied for passes this year, according to Babylon Village Trustee Ralph Scordino, the Village Board’s liaison for the pool.

A family walks through the muraled passageway that is the gateway to the Babylon Village Pool.

While the pool is open from mid- June through Labor Day, maintaining it in its peak condition is a year-round job. Work begins as soon as the pool closes for the season, draining lines and preparing the facility for the winter months under the direction of Jerry Horstman, the certified pool operator and his staff. That work includes maintaining the pumps that push 450,000 gallons of water through the huge sand filters every four hours. They stand in an immaculately cared for pump house, humming away during July and August.

Once the pool facility is closed down for the winter, it takes quite a beating, said Scordino, especially if the weather is bad. Salt, sand and wind take their toll on the site.

"When we come back in the early spring and turn on the switch, you never know what is going to happen," he said.

Fortunately, due to the expertise of the crew that maintains the facility, there are few surprises. The pool itself is protected by large drain pipes that allow water from the Bay during higher tides to rush in and relieve pressure on the concrete structure. The decking around the pool, replaced last year, is made of a new resin material that is non slippery and flexible.

Lifeguards take a break from their responsibilities. Shown are Sean Bogdahn (with hat). Seated next to him is Matthew Slack and at right are Heather Cooper, Brian Barth and Mallory Grempel.

"The whole facility is built on a site that shifts and moves," explained Scordino, "so we are always trying to stay ahead of the cracks, but this new material is working very well."

Scordino said he and other Village employees make regular checks to the facility during the winter months and there is security year round.

By March, work begins for the coming season. The site is cleaned up and the pool is filled. Everything gets a fresh coat of paint as needed, flower boxes are readied for their new spring plantings and another season is underway.

The community gets involved in caring for the facility as well. The Babylon Village Women’s Club has donated a new playground and adult swing, which will be added shortly, and flowers are donated by the Babylon Village Beautification Society.

Several years ago, Eagle Scouts planted beach grass along the shoreline that sets the backdrop for the pool. That grass has thrived and spread, protecting the fragile shoreline from erosion.

Staff includes a director, Jessica Dobush; managers Kate Dougherty and Danielle Liszewski. Laurie Van Rossen is the swimming instructor and is assisted by Allison Mills.  There are 12 water safety instructors and ten assistants, as well as 12 beach attendants and 20 lifeguards who monitor the main and children’s pool in 15 minute shifts to ensure they can stay alert and focused.

"It’s a big responsibility, especially when it is really busy," said Brian Barth, one of the lifeguards.

"We really try to prevent problems before they happen," added Matthew Slack.

That requires not only careful attention to what is happening in and around the pool, but experience in being able to recognize weak or hesitant swimmers before they go into the water. "You just get to know some of the weaker swimmers and keep an extra eye out," said Slack.

The Babylon Village Library will be holding story time at the pool this summer and Scott Brown a resident and artist is continuing to paint murals at the pool facility. There are opportunities for barbecuing and pool parties, safe boating courses, and this year, for the first time, the pool will host the Town’s annual swimming meet.

The facility is open for sunrise swims at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday the pool is open from 12:15 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday it stays open until 9 p.m. and on Saturday and Sundays the hours are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Passes are still available or residents can pay at the door but must have proof that they reside in the Village with them at the time.

The phone number at the municipal pool is 631-587-7707.