STEUBENVILLE — With the opening of the 2025 swim season just a few months away, City Council told Fort Steuben Maintenance’s Vince Oliver he can start the renovations whenever he’s ready.

“We need to get (going) to get it open and ready for swimming season,” Oliver said.

The bid was awarded in November, but we’ve not been given notice to proceed and get started on it.”

The basic upgrade is going to cost the city $445,887, with most of expense to be covered by grant money — $300,000 is coming from the Ohio Capital Budget, with another $100,000 through the Appalachian Regional Commission.

City Manager Jim Mavromatis council still must decide the fate of three potential add-ons: completely paving the deck, which would cost another $81,000; new, permanent steps to the pool, another $26,000; and a slide, another $75,000.

Those three add-ons together would push the total price tag to about $628,000.

“The easy part is we do have the money,” he told council. “But is this what you want to do?”

Council embraced the idea of paving the entire deck as well as installing the new steps. Members said if they install a slide, they expect it to be open so kids can use it.

Council also made plans to bring Fire Chief Carlo Capaldi in Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. to talk about the need for a new fire station, prompting Fourth Ward Councilman Royal Mayo to question whether one is even needed.

“Everybody has a wish list,” Mayo added. “That’s a lot of money.”

First Ward Councilman Dave Albaugh pointed out Capaldi has talked about the need for a new station many times over the past five years.

“I think at least we can entertain the talk,” Albaugh said. “I think youngest fire station in city is over 70 years old, another is 100.”

Sixth Ward Councilman Mike Hernon described it as “just a conversation.”

“That’s all,” Hernon added. “I didn’t say we were going to do it. but we’ve been talking about it for a couple of years.”