Weirton Park Board continues discussion on Starvaggi Pool future
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WEIRTON - Weirton Parks officials still plan to move forward with a project to renovate Starvaggi Memorial Pool, but admit it will be a challenge.
The long-discussed project has gone through multiple redesigns in recent years, as bids have gone well above the planned budget established by the Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation, and previously allocated funds have gone to other projects.
During Thursday’s Park Board meeting, Executive Director Coty Shingle explained time is of the essence, and the project needs to move forward in the coming months.
"We really need to make a decision," Shingle said. "There’s no way we can run that pool next year."
Originally, designs called for replacement of the vessel with a smaller footprint and a zero-entry area, as well as replacement of plumbing leading to the pool, a new deck, replacement of the filtration system, and other amenities.
The board had budgeted between $1 million and $1.5 million, with the lone viable bid received last fall coming in at $4 million. That bid resulted in a redesign of the plan, working with PMV/SASI Architect and Engineering, and discussion of a phased construction.
The primary focus, Shingle said, has to be on the pool vessel.
"The pool vessel, itself, is the problem," Shingle said, explaining the vessel has leaked thousands of gallons of water each summer.
Other planned portions of the project would have to be done at later intervals in an effort to keep the project on budget.
Board member Anthony Capp noted one possible way to save money would be to use the existing vessel as a form, but admitted there would be concerns of the weight of new concrete and water causing more damage to the vessel.
He agreed, though, a decision is needed soon.
"At some point, we need to get in the weeds," Capp said.
Starvaggi Memorial Pool first opened to the public in 1968, gifted to the city by Michael Starvaggi in the name of Starvaggi Charities. Shingle noted, in the 1970s, it often saw thousands per day making use of the facility, with those numbers dropping down to around 800 per day in the early 2000s. These days, he said, they are lucky to see around 150 to 200 people.
"You can’t justify two-thirds the size of that pool for that," Shingle said, pushing for a smaller scale, while adding he has concerns about starting a renovation and not being able to finish it.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)