WEIRTON — The Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation continues to focus on a series of ongoing improvement projects with its facilities.

The final phase of planned improvements at the Millsop Community Center is approaching completion, according to Executive Director Coty Shingle, who discussed the recent reopening of the indoor swimming pool at the center.

“We’ve had a lot of people come back,” he said. “The swim teams are here.”

As a result of work on the south wall of the center, the indoor pool had to be closed for much of the summer and early fall months. It recently was refilled and reopened, although Shingle noted it took some time for the water to get back up to temperature.

“I’ve had a lot of good feedback,” said board Chair Iris Himmelrick.

Some finishing touches on the wall are still in process, and departmen staff, along with contractors GraeCon Construction, are awaiting the arrival of new windows for the area around the pool, which Shingle explained had to be custom fit as a result of the size of those spaces.

“They make this stuff when you order it now,” he said, adding there was no estimated timeframe.

Another focus at the community center is the installation of a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system focused on the gymnasium area.

“We’re going to do some heating and cooling and a lot of zoned areas,” Shingle said.

A new HVAC system also had been brought in for the pool area as part of the project, with the system designed to reduce the humidity in that section of the building.

Shingle explained plans for the renovation of the Starvaggi Memorial Pool are paused at the moment, with officials intending to pick it back up early next year to finalize designs and move forward on the project.

The third phase of playground renovations at Starvaggi Park are complete, with new equipment installed. The last portion of the project will include the installation of a “forever lawn” turf along the embankment behind the playground in the area along Phillips Street.

Work is wrapping up for the season at Marland Heights Park.

“Phase one is pretty much complete,” Shingle said, explaining the paving of the governor’s drive, sealing of new asphalt, and installation of lettering on the new restroom facility will be completed in the spring, along with work on the tennis courts and new landscaping.

“It’s definitely looking better than it has for a couple of years,” commented resident Karen Gould, who attended Thursday’s meeting.

A planning meeting to discuss a proposed fitness court for Marland Heights Park is being planned for December.