WEIRTON — Members of the Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation say they continue to wait on the final component of a project to refurbish the tennis and basketball courts at Starvaggi Memorial Park.

“This project should have been done months and months ago,” board Chair Ed Bowman said during Thursday’s meeting.

Bowman explained the board has had a contract with Gil Thermes for the fencing portion of the project, which also included new blacktop, striping and lighting. Work began on the renovations last fall, with the other components completed earlier this year, Bowman said.

“Our tennis courts should have been done a long time ago,” Bowman said.

Bowman said waiting on the fencing also has prevented the installation of new benches purchased with donations from area businesses and residents.

Board member Mike Adams asked if it would be possible to cancel the contract at this stage in the project, but Parks Executive Director Coty Shingle said it would require them to rebid.

Board member Doug Finton suggested not paying the contractor until all work is completed to specifications.

“We need to make sure we’re satisfied,” Finton said.

Shingle said he has located two fencing companies in the Pittsburgh area, and one in Wheeling, which they will contact in the event of future projects.

In related matters, the board discussed scheduling a meeting with City Manager Joe DiBartolomeo, Public Works Director Rod Rosnick, Shingle and Bowman to plan for future improvement projects within the parks department.

Shingle noted efforts to purchase new pumps and redesign the drainage system at Starvaggi Park to prevent shutdowns of the pool as happened this summer following heavy rains.

“We can’t afford for it to happen,” Shingle said.

The board also announced fall and winter hours for the Millsop Community Center, with Shingle noting Sunday hours from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning Oct. 1. Then, in November, hours would be 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)