WEIRTON — The swimming pool located at the Millsop Community Center will be closed, beginning today, as part of the ongoing Phase 3 of the south wall stabilization project.

“We regret the closure of the pool because we know how much it means to so many people, but it’s an unavoidable and necessary step in the completion of this project,” Park Board Director Coty Shingle said. “This project has been ongoing for almost three years now and we’ve avoided closure of the pool until this last leg of the work so we’re hoping our patrons appreciate and understand that this temporary inconvenience is necessary to achieve a permanent benefit.”

The closure is temporary, but will last until the stabilization project is complete, which will include work on the interior wall area and ceiling of the pool area.

During the closure, staff will extend the memberships for any patrons of the community center whose primary use of the facility is the pool.

“They’ve been assured. We’ll extend it,” Shingle said while discussing the matter during Thursday’s meeting of the Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation. “We’re going to take care of them.”

Patrons also are being encouraged to make use of the Starvaggi Memorial Pool during its shortened summer season. Starvaggi Pool is scheduled to close July 13 as part of a planned pool vessel replacement project.

Board member William Curenton said he has spoken to several of the center’s patrons about the project, noting he has received positive responses to the temporary closure.

“They’re taking it really good,” Curenton said.

Ward 4 Councilman Rick Stead, who is among two members of council appointed to the Park Board, noted the project is an investment in the longevity of the Millsop Community Center.

An announcement will be made for when the pool reopens.