We received a tip the other day from a local parent wondering what’s going on at the Seahorse Swim Club, located within Masaryk Towers on Columbia Street. Sure enough, there’s a sign on the door from building management saying the swimming pool is closed without offering any other information. We reached out to Tommy Ho, who runs the swim program, and to Dariusz Liszkiewicz, Masaryk board president, but there was no response. This afternoon, Sam Propper, assistant manager at the housing complex, said he could not comment about the situation due to a pending legal case. According to the housing court web site, both parties were due in court this morning regarding an ‘alleged illegal lockout” complaint. More to come…
UPDATED 6/26/2014: Tommy Ho did return our calls yesterday and confirmed that it’s the end of the line for the Seahorse Swim Club at Masaryk Towers. You may have noticed the memo posted in the comments section by a TLD reader. If not, here’s what Ho told parents:
First, I would like to thank you for your patronage and support for the past 7 years. With your help, we made this Pool into a great place for everyone to have fun and learn to swim which will serve for a lifetime. I was very lucky to have all of you join with me as part of the whole experience. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all of you and teaching the children how to swim. Second, it is with great trepidation that I regret to inform you that Seahorse has lost its lease at 69 Columbia Street. Right now I do not know exactly what the future holds, Should something come up, I will certainly let you know. All deposits will be returned to you as soon as possible. Until then, I want to wish all of you the very best.
If anything includes the name Dariusz Liszkiewicz, you can be damn well sure something improper is going on. The way he’s runs the Masaryk Board is insulting to the shareholders.
Back in the 80’s we used to sneak in there at night and hang out all night.
We received this email from Seahorse this morning. They lost their lease:
“Dear Parents, Students and Friends:
First,
I would like to thank you for your patronage and support for the past 7
years. With your help, we made this Pool into a great place for
everyone to have fun and learn to swim which will serve for a lifetime.
I was very lucky to have all of you join with me as part of the whole
experience. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all of you and
teaching the children how to swim.
Second, it is with great trepidation that I regret to inform you that Seahorse has lost its lease at 69 Columbia Street.
Right now I do not know exactly what the future holds, Should
something come up, I will certainly let you know. All deposits will be
returned to you as soon as possible.
Until then, I want to wish all of you the very best.
Sincerely,”
That is really sad, what a great swim club, community resource, and management team. Tommy Ho made my children love the water, calmed them when they were scared, and taught them how to swim. In the winter I would go there to swim laps and the pool water was always pleasant when compared with the YMCA. They had great instructors and a friendly environment. I hope that someone, somewhere can find them a new space or that they can resolve this matter with Masaryk.
Very sad.
Perhaps they can get access to the Madison-Jackson. Not like the Sungs are using their pool…
The court order clearly stated that Masaryk Towers was on the “verge of bankruptcy”, which is why HPD requested an increase that was subsequently granted by the court. This is enough evidence for me. Though funds became available for construction, where were the funds to pay Masaryk’s outstanding debts and what proposals were in place to rectify this problem. We don’t know, were never informed.
Funds were raised by the previous board for the construction of Masaryk Towers not for its debts.It’s been about three years since the increase and we are still in debt so has the problem been solved? Be advise the previous board had open meetings to keep the shareholders aware and inform,who’s keeping us informed now?and where is the transparency with this present board. Be advised that the 18% increase was done illegaly,we all know that the increase was needed, but the manner that it was done without letting shareholders know was not proper
What can we do to get the seahorses swimming again? The swim club was a model for an institution that brings the neighborhood together, creates jobs while serving a very real need to teach kids to swim. It was one of the most effective teaching models I have seen for swimming or anything else. I think this is a feeling that was shared by anyone who came in contact with the program- -so what can we do?