WEIRTON — Weirton Council will be asked to consider a resolution providing additional funds to assist with various capital improvement projects in the city’s recreational system.

The city’s Finance Committee split its vote Wednesday over a recommendation on the resolution, which would allocate $350,000 toward the completion of the first phase of the Marland Heights Park improvement project, set to include a new restroom facility, as well as general upgrades and improvements to the Brookline Street playground, and any other city recreation facilities requiring repair or upgrades. Ward 6 Councilman Enzo Fracasso voted in favor of the recommendation, with Ward 3 Councilman Fred Marsh voting against. Ward 7 Councilman Terry Weigel was not in attendance. The three comprise the Finance Committee.

An amendment was offered Wednesday, which would have increased the funding to $600,000, but it received no motion.

Marsh initially expressed concern that the resolution was a way to get additional funds for a more elaborate restroom project, calling it a “backdoor thing,” while also wanting more specifics on what other projects the funds might go toward.

“They need to be more specific about what that is,” Marsh said.

Ward 5 Councilwoman Flora Perrone, who sponsored the resolution, was in attendance, noting bids recently received by the Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation to construct the planned restroom facility, along with other improvements at Marland Heights Park, had come in at more than $500,000.

In May, Weirton Council had allocated $150,000 for the restroom facility, with an additional $50,000 for infrastructure projects.

“We knew then. We were concerned it wasn’t going to be enough,” Perrone said. “We always want it to be cheaper than it is.”

Following the demolition of the Margaret Manson Weir Memorial Pool in December 2022, the only restroom facility available at the park has been a set of portable toilets, with Perrone saying the shelters at Marland Heights Park have the highest use in the city.

Parks Director Coty Shingle, participating in the meeting by telephone, explained, even after making reductions in the bid package, the restroom facility alone is set to cost approximately $242,000.

“The building is no frills,” Shingle said. “It’s just a concrete block building.”

Other aspects of the bid package include $136,000 for new lighting, as well as plans for paving the governor’s drive at the park — aimed at improving security measures and access – and installing new water lines for the park.

“That’s part of something council asked for,” Shingle said.

Shingle explained the Park Board initially had received interest from six companies in the project, receiving only two bids. He added one of the reasons companies cited as not offering a bid was the low budget for the project.

Perrone encouraged members of the committee to support the resolution, which will still go before Weirton Council on Monday despite the lack of recommendation, saying it is an opportunity to help see an improvement to the city’s parks to completion.

“We were narrow focused originally,” Perrone said. “This widens the focus.”

Weirton Council will meet at 7 p.m. Monday in the council chambers of the Weirton Municipal Building. It will be the final regular meeting for the current administration.