PLAN SELECTED — During their meeting Thursday, members of the Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation selected a plan for the redesign of Starvaggi Memorial Pool. The goal has been to have the project completed in time for the 2025 swimming season. -- File photo

WEIRTON — If all goes according to schedule, when Starvaggi Memorial Pool opens for the 2025 season, it will have a new look.

The Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation, during its meeting Thursday morning, agreed to a design for planned renovations at the pool, which originally opened in 1968.

“We have to make a decision on what option,” explained Parks Director Coty Shingle.

Shingle presented the board with three options, provided by PMV/SASI Architect and Engineering, for the future pool design, with the board selecting what was called “Option C.”

This option, Shingle explained, would include two “peninsulas,” providing some division between the areas of the new pool.

Plans have called for the redesigned Starvaggi Memorial Pool to include a zero-entry area and a maximum depth of five feet.

The deeper areas are now planned to have an option to establish an area of five lanes, 25 yards in length, could be used for lap swimming, if needed.

“If you have to, you could have a swim meet,” Shingle said.

The other available options would have included a pool with six lanes, as well as a design with a much smaller surface area, neither of which the board felt would be optimal for use by the community.

Board member Anthony Capp asked about any differences in cost between the proposals, with Shingle saying all were projected to be in the neighborhood of $1 million.

Shingle explained his goal in the reconstruction of Starvaggi Pool is to be as efficient as possible with the funds available to the project, while making sure the pool remains viable for the long-term and able to meet the needs of area residents.

In those efforts, Shingle has been working with the project designers to find ways to cut costs, where possible, including using at least a portion of the existing pool vessel to act as a form for the new pool.

It was noted plans do include a larger deck area, and there was discussion of two slides in the deep area of the pool.

The board also continues discussion on various other improvement projects, although Shingle noted cost is a factor in those, as well.

Earlier this year, Weirton Council allocated $200,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds toward projects at Marland Heights Park, with $150,000 set for a new restroom facility and the remaining $50,000 toward other improvements.

According to Shingle, the lowest bid for the planned package came in at $384,000, with the high bid at $413,000. As a result, some aspects of the improvements will need to be pushed back until additional funds are available.

That includes new lighting at the park.

“We had to postpone that for now,” Shingle said.

The new restroom building is set for construction near where the entrance of the Margaret Manson Weir Memorial Pool once was located, with other set projects to include improvements to the governor’s drive for the park, and water service to the restroom facility as well as a water fountain and a hose near the tennis courts.

Additional funds also will be needed to complete the third phase of playground improvements at Starvaggi Memorial Park, with the proposal coming in at around $113,000.