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WEIRTON -- Close to $3 million has been allocated by Weirton Council for a series of recreation projects in the city.
During its meeting Monday, council approved three resolutions setting aside funding, through a mixture of American Rescue Plan Act and General Fund dollars, as contributions toward projects at the Millsop Community Center and Starvaggi Memorial Park.
Council agreed to program $1,720,000 for the third phase of a project to repair and reinforce the south wall of the community center, a project which has been going on for almost three years.
Phase 3 will focus on repairs to the building's interior as a result of the foundation problems, in particular the area around the center's swimming pool.
Grae-Con was the only firm to bid on the project, with $1,575,000 for the main project, and $145,000 for the replacement of the ceiling over the pool and spectator area.
Ward 4 Councilman George Ash made the motion to accept, but warned he expected this to be the final portion of the project.
"There'd better not be a phase four," Ash said.
Parks Executive Director Coty Shingle assured Ash this would complete the project, also thanking council for its support of the city's recreation system and its various capital improvement projects in recent years.
"That's hugely important to us," Shingle said.
Council also agreed to allocate $1 million from ARPA funds for the replacement of the vessel for Starvaggi Memorial Pool.
Starvaggi Pool was opened in 1968, but, according to the resolution, "after 55 years, the lining or vessel of the pool has exceeded its useful life and, therefore, regularly leaks significant amounts of water during the summer season."
Officials have determined replacement of the vessel is the best course of action, with funding to come from the city's ARPA allotment, "to replace or reconfigure the vessel."
Any additional funds needed for the project will be the responsibility of the Park Board, according to the resolution.
City Manager Mike Adams also offered his thanks to council for the contributions.
"These are some major capital improvements," Adams said. "These are our flagships. These are legacy facilities."
In addition, a resolution, sponsored by Ward 1 Councilman Tim Connell, was unanimously approved, allocating up to $89,134.61 for a proposed second phase of updates to the playground at Starvaggi Park. The resolution was tabled by council in November.
The costs of Phase 2 are based on a quote from Game Time of Charlotte, N.C., and include the purchase and installation of two pieces of playground equipment, an owner's kit for the equipment, and a poured-in-place rubber surfacing.
The first phase of the playground reconstruction was completed in August, with funding provided through the Weirton Park Board, Starvaggi Memorial Park Civic Association, the City of Weirton, JC Williams Foundation, Starvaggi Charities, Harold and Dolores Wolfe Charitable Trust and Hancock County Savings Bank.