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WEIRTON -- A levy being proposed to support Weirton's park system would go entirely for projects to build up the community's recreational offerings.
"I want it all to be for capital improvements," Parks Executive Director Coty Shingle explained Thursday morning, adding there are no plans for the funds, if the levy is passed, to go toward operational expenses.
Weirton Council, on Monday, approved a resolution authorizing the levy, with Shingle pointing out there still are some details to work out, including the taxation rates to be used in the levy call.
Plans call for a $10 million excess levy, spread across five years - the maximum term allowed under law - meaning it would raise $2 million each year for Weirton's parks.
"We're trying to make it as affordable as possible," Shingle said.
The levy, if prepared in time, would be placed on the city election ballot on Nov. 5, and, if approved by voters, would go into effect for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
Weirton Parks officials have been spending the last several months compiling a list of projects to potentially fund through such a levy, including much of a multi-stage improvement project at Marland Heights Park, repairs to the roof of the Millsop Community Center, along with updates to the heating and cooling systems at the center, updates to security systems at park facilities, ongoing maintenance on the Panhandle Recreational Trail and more.
"We've been looking at this for a long time," explained Park Board member Ronnie Jones, who said the idea of a park levy has been explored at various points since 2010.
Shingle noted the levy must be finalized no later than Aug. 27 to be able to appear on the city's ballot. In addition, since the city's election is being operated through the counties, the levy must be registered through both Hancock County and Brooke County.
Park Board members, on Thursday, also discussed some of their ongoing capital improvement projects, with Shingle announcing a bid schedule is being finalized for a project to construct a new restroom facility at Marland Heights Park.
He anticipates the schedule to be completed by mid-September, with the possibility of the restrooms being ready for the spring season.
Preliminary plans for the Starvaggi Memorial Pool renovations also are complete, with a schedule to have demolition now begin sometime in September. Shingle reported architects are continuously looking at adjustments to keep the project cost-effective.
Officials expect the renovations to the pool to be complete in time for the 2025 swimming season.
Work on the south wall of the Millsop Community Center also is continuing, with Shingle reiterating there are no expectations of the wall falling down.
"We've had our fifth engineer look at this," he said.