WEIRTON – The Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation is looking forward to a busy summer season.

“There’s a lot going on,” noted Parks Executive Director Coty Shingle during Thursday’s board meeting. “Every month we have something big.”

Outdoor activities kick off this weekend, with an Earth Day event set to begin at noon Saturday at Marland Heights Park.

Organized by the City of Weirton, Weirton Parks, FirstEnergy, and the Brooke-Hancock Family Resource Network, the event will include a distribution of tree saplings, youth activities – including face painting and games – a make-your-own trail mix station, and a smoothie bike.

A grand reopening celebration of Marland Heights Park also is in the works, in partnership with the City of Weirton’s Youth Council program, for May 16.

The event is designed to showcase some of the improvement projects performed at the park in recent years, including the construction of a new restroom facility, updates to the shelters, and the renovations to the park’s basketball court.

Shingle explained some projects, including the completion of the governor’s drive paving, the renovations to the tennis court to now include pickleball, and the installation of a planned Fitness Court, won’t be ready in time for the event, but displays will be available to showcase those plans.

“We’ll be ready. We’ll celebrate,” Shingle said.

Starvaggi Memorial Pool is scheduled to begin its summer season Memorial Day weekend, with the board continuing its plans for a future renovation.

Shingle reported he continues to work with PMV Architect on a redesign for the project, which already has been awarded to James White Construction. The board previously had budgeted $1.5 million for the renovations, with bids initially coming in around $4 million, leading to the need of a redesign.

Board member Anthony Capp expressed concern about whether the board would need to approve any other aspects of the project, causing additional delays. Shingle, though, said the biggest hurdle is making certain there is funding available.

“The biggest holdup will be figuring out how to fund it,” Shingle said, adding the hope is still to be able to begin work following the end of the upcoming summer pool season in mid-August.

Programs Director Chris Krishak announced they had just wrapped up the seasons for their indoor flag football and middle school basketball leagues, with efforts underway for the annual tennis camp from June 8-12 at Starvaggi Park.

Summer swimming lessons will be held at Starvaggi Pool, beginning in mid-June, he said, with plans underway for the annual Marland Heights 5K Classic, to be held Aug. 14.

Plans also are coming together for the city’s summer concert series, which Shingle said is slated to begin May 22, with performances at the Weirton Event Center.

“It’s going to be great,” he said, noting a full schedule of bands will be released in the coming weeks.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)