Plans moving forward on Starvaggi pool renovations
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WEIRTON -- If things go according to plan, the Weirton community will have a renovated public pool in time for the 2025 swimming season.
The Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation met Thursday morning at Starvaggi Memorial Park, reviewing several projects including the recently completed plans for renovations to Starvaggi Pool.
"The number one idea was to solve the problem," Parks Director Coty Shingle explained, noting the discussion of work on the pool has been a focus as a result of years of water loss. "The problem is being solved by putting a brand-new vessel in there."
Shingle discussed the plans for the pool, designed by Mark Viola of PMV/SASI Architect and Engineering, explaining the plan would be for the pool to close for this summer on Aug. 18 and work to begin Aug. 19.
"The footprint of the pool, as far as length, won't change," Shingle said
The new pool vessel would feature a smaller area - proposed for 9,000-square-feet of water surface, and have three discernable recreational areas. The first would be a zero-entry area about 12 feet long with a maximum depth of 18 inches.
"Everybody, no matter their ability, will be able to enter easily and exit easily," Shingle said.
That would be followed by a section with a depth of 4 feet, and then a section of 6 feet in depth.
The new alignment would all but eliminate the ability to set up formal swimming lanes, but Shingle said that hasn't been a use for Starvaggi Pool for several years as many area high school and club teams have either dissolved, gone elsewhere or established their own facilities.
"We do not have competitive swimming here," Shingle said. "This is all about recreation."
Board member Doug Finton asked about the possibility of establishing a shaded area, with anchored umbrellas, within the pool deck area, and Shingle said it was an option being discussed, especially as there would be more deck space available.
The pool is one in a series of improvement projects being undertaken by the Park Board, including long-term plans for Marland Heights Park.
"We're trying to get a plan to work with the budget council gave us," Shingle said.
Currently, that budget will cover the construction of a new restroom facility at the park, with other projects - such as an all-season shelter, pickleball court, new basketball court and more - having to go on the back burner until other funds are available.
The third phase of the south wall project at the Millsop Community Center also is underway, although Shingle announced a new roof-mounted air unit now won't be available until May or June 2025.
Shingle also is continuing his work on a plan for a proposed park levy, with a hope of having it go onto the ballot for the city's November election. The goal would be to collect $10 million over a five-year period to be used to fund improvement projects for the city's park system.