Craig Howell MEETING — Weirton Park Board member Doug Finton, left, Chairman Ed Bowman and Parks Executive Director Coty Shingle addressed Weirton Council Tuesday, requesting financial support for planned renovations to Starvaggi Memorial Pool.
WEIRTON — The Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation approached Weirton Council, this week, for support in planned renovations to the Starvaggi Memorial Pool.
While acknowledging a recent contribution of $500,000 to assist with repairs to the south wall of the Millsop Community Center, Park Board Chairman Ed Bowman, member Doug Finton and Parks Director Coty Shingle appeared before council during an informational workshop with a pitch for $1 million in support of the pool.
“This is probably our number one capital improvement issue,” Bowman said.
Shingle noted the Park Board has worked to take care of various repair projects over the years, but the pool, which is close to 30 years past its useful life, continues to have cracks in its vessel and more action is needed, he said.
“We’ve tried everything but the conventional idea of bulldozing everything and rebuilding,” Shingle said.
Officials estimate the pool is losing in the range of 5,000 gallons of water per day, something Ward 2 Councilman Mike Adams, who also sits on the Park Board, said is noticeable for anyone looking at the water levels throughout the day.
“It’s kind of alarming,” Adams said.
Starvaggi Memorial Pool first opened in 1968. It was built and contributed to the city by Starvaggi Charities.
Shingle said attendance at the pool, while still relatively low, has been good for the summer, adding there were 140 patrons prior to Monday’s severe thunderstorms.
“We’re making gains where we can,” Shingle said. “We’re grateful for days we can get 250 people there.”
He said the hope is to make it through the pool season, which will end in mid-August, and then move forward with renovation plans. He said some local companies have offered ideas to assist in keeping the costs down, but the funding from council will be needed for the work to be done.
“This is a legacy we have to maintain,” Shingle said. “We just have to figure it out.”
City Manager Joe DiBartolomeo said he would like a cost estimate put together for the project before committing the funds, with Park Board members and council agreeing some of the process can begin in the coming days.
DiBartolomeo recommended the board look at some size adjustments as part of the plans, noting Starvaggi Pool is slightly larger than an Olympic-sized pool, which would keep it from being used in athletic competitions.
The Park Board also requested council consider a $10,000 allocation to go toward planned paving on a portion of the Panhandle Rail Trail. Bowman noted the board recently received $10,000 from the Brooke County Commission and he intends to seek contributions from other sources in addition to funds already set aside by the board.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)
"board" - Google News
June 24, 2021 at 11:27AM
https://ift.tt/3zVnxs0
Weirton Park Board seeks funds for pool renovations - The Daily Times
"board" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2KWL1EQ
https://ift.tt/2YrjQdq
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Weirton Park Board seeks funds for pool renovations - The Daily Times"
Post a Comment