NEW FACILITIES — Improvement projects at Weirton Parks facilities, including Marland Heights Park, continue. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON — Improvement projects at several of Weirton’s recreation facilities continue to move ahead.

Marland Heights Park has seen work in several areas this spring and summer, including the ongoing installation of new lighting and sidewalks, as well as the construction of a new restroom facility.

During Thursday’s meeting of the Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation, resident Karen Gould asked about progress with the restrooms, which originally had a completion deadline of May 1.

Parks Director Coty Shingle noted there have been some delays, as a result of change orders and scheduling with other improvements at the park, but explained the completion of the restroom missing its deadline came down to a misunderstanding.

“Apparently, the contractor and the architect were not on the same page,” Shingle said.

Shingle said the contractor – Fort Steuben Maintenance – had paid for luxury portable restrooms for use by a private event at the park earlier in the year, but said the ongoing construction had resulted in the loss of three other shelter rentals.

He hopes for a completion to the restrooms by the end of this month.

Shingle said the next project slated for the park is the repair of roofs on the park’s shelters.

Crews with Grae-Con Construction continue to work on the south wall repairs and replacement at the Millsop Community Center, which has resulted in the temporary closure of the center’s indoor pool.

Board member Bill Curenton said he had spoken with several center patrons recently, who expressed appreciation for the work, noting some previously had been frustrated with what they perceived to be a lack of progress.

“They see work going on and they’re satisfied,” Curenton said.

The pending closure of Starvaggi Memorial Pool also was discussed.

“We have pre-bid information out there,” Shingle noted, explaining the hope is to have bids available for the project, which would see the replacement of the existing pool vessel, by the end of the month.

Shingle reported demolition has begun for the third – and final – phase of improvements to the Starvaggi playground, explaining, though, that two pieces of equipment still have to go through the international shipping process.