SAVE MARLAND HEIGHTS POOL
Saturday, August 11,
2012:
Marland Heights Pool
Shelter
Beth Patsch-
Vice-President: Introduces founding members of the Committee to Save Marland
Heights Pool:
Doug Jackson-
President
Gaston Blanc-
Treasurer
Renee Lemal-
Communications Manager
Ashley Tenaglio-
Secretary (unable to attend)
Beth Patsch starts the
meeting by giving a brief history of Margaret Mason Weir Memorial Pool (aka,
Marland Heights Pool [MHP]) along with a few shared memories.
Everyone in attendance
is asked to sign the petition at the end of the meeting along with letters to
our politicians in support of preserving our pool- to be sent as packets.
Anyone in attendance who is interested to help in anyway is asked to sign an
index card with name, contact information, their expertise, and in what
capacity they would like to volunteer. The group is currently not asking
for monetary donations, only community support.
The filtration system
is addressed. Citizens are made aware of the harvesting of site resources for
use elsewhere in the Weirton parks system after the close of MHP.
There followed a
question and answer session. Doug Jackson, President, answered any
question from the gathered audience with aid from Beth Patsch, Vice-President.
There followed a
question/answer period with Doug Jackson informing the community present our
visions for Marland Heights Pool/Park.
Community members
stated concerns over being told the pool was closed because it was too
expensive to maintain.
The topic of the pool
being “dangerous” as a reason for demolition was discussed. Doug
pointed out that were the site dangerous, the bathrooms under the pool and the
surrounding area could not be used. The pool is a solid structure,
but does need work.
Gaston Blanc stated
that when he asked to take a tour he was told that it was too dangerous to
tour.
Damage that was done
by the Haunted House within the MHP was discussed. It was explained
that an Historical Building/Pool cannot be treated as it was. The group
is not sure if the haunted house group was made aware of the regulations for
use of an historic structure. Pictures of the damages to the pool
are available, including damage from a fire built in the 9’ end of the pool.
The Community was made
aware that $1.75 million figure to renovate the pool came from an architect that
is used by the city on a per-contract basis.
This is the only feasibility study bid the city received for this
project. This is uncommon in business, as in nearly all situations multiple
estimates will be gathered to find the most appropriate bid.
The potential deck
instability beneath the baby pool was discussed, including why that section is
in need of repair. Below the baby pool is the filter room. Through the
years the build-up of chlorine gases with inadequate ventilation deteriorated
that area of the deck.
Gaston has been in
contact with a firm regarding a pump system controlled by an automated testing
system and satellite relay monitoring.
This will provide constant chemical control.
The Committee to Save
Marland Heights Pool’s [CtSMHP] long-term goal is to renovate the pool and use
it as a pool. There are ways to incorporate an ice skating rink on
the grounds; such as by curbing and freezing the tennis courts as was done many
years ago. Citizens present do not feel there is a demand or desire
for a year round outdoor skating rink.
The CtSMHP has a
working statement of “Reclaim, Restore, Revitalize”
One fund raising
opportunity could be having shelter houses named after large donors-
potentially targeting some of the new companies coming into the area (Marcellus
Shale, etc.)
Demolition is
discussed, along with potential methods to stop the demolition. Beth
Patsch, our Vice President, is working on the various options available.
Money is discussed. Funds
are available for facilities such as this- Bentz pools, Art Deco facilities,
historic structures, etc.
The insurance cost is
questioned. The city of Weirton held approximately 14 parks under a
blanket policy with Assure America as of 2006. The pool was not on
its own policy.
There are still Wesley
Bentz pools in New Martinsville, WV; Tampa, Florida; Indiana and Missouri. Some are still in use today, and some have
been restored from very severe conditions.
This site is a
National Historic landmark, sites like the Greenbrier and other WV and National
Landmarks were not torn down after a few years of dwindling use. They
were renovated and preserved.
The cost of operating
the pool is discussed. We have a business plan along with an
operating budget.
The American
Disabilities Act is discussed concerning handicapped
accessibility. Since our pool is a historic pool/structure, the pool
is not exempt from ADA compliance, however the integrity of the historic site
must be maintained and the guidelines accept that to provide accessibility
while maintaining the site can take some time.
The CtSMHP are working ADA compliance into their plans for the Marland
Heights Pool.
In 1983, Weirton Steel
gave the Park/Pool to the City. National Steel had an Agreement to
Convey- which the CtSMHP posess- that states the pool and park are to remain
open as long as Williams Country Club exists and operates.
It is asked if
Williams Country Club has a Trust. JC Williams Foundation is the
trust. The CtSMHP has not gone after any funding as of yet.
It is asked if the
park board will maintain the pool or if the public have to do the work.
This can be done three
ways. The pool has not been in operation for 8 years.
1. Our organization
and the park board could work together to open and keep it operating.
2. We can become a
501c3 (non-profit) and obtain a lease from the Park Board for 99 years for
$1.00.
3. Pool is given back
to the city and removed from the park boards hands and the citizens vote on the
pool.
Never once was there
any grants obtained and used for Marland Heights pool by the city of Weirton.
Citizens were very
concerned of the rumor that the pool is coming down next week. To our knowledge, that is only a rumor, and a
citizen spoke to the hardship the city would have in completing the demolition
on that short of time frame. It was
stated by, Mr. Miller that the park board has no money available to demolish
the pool at this time, and that they would have to get money from the city
to do so. A vote that our councilmen
would have to vote on.
The $80,000 that is
planned for use to demolish the pool could be spent on a lot of repairs.
A citizen posed the
question of “if we do get it open will this happen again when we have another
economic downfall?” That would likely
depend on the method of stewardship mentioned above.
It is stated that the
support for Marland Heights Pool/Park should be a citywide issue as this is the
last piece of famous architecture brought to Weirton by the founders of the
city.
The recent letter to
the editor is addressed as to “Where Were…[the citizens to support the pool]”.
Karen Gould discussed
federal funds being available, and how the use of federal funding on in regard
to the detriment of a designated historic site can alter
circumstances. Beth Patsch is working stringently on this process.
Heating the pool is a
topic of discussion. One less invasive option is a solar heating
system. There are ways to incorporate this without destroying the
historical façade of the pool.
Grant’s were
discussed, they are available and we are looking for volunteers with experience
in grant writing.
Pastor Westling offers
his church and shelter for a meeting place, in addition to information on
groups that will come up from the south to work on the MHP project at no cost
if we provide them tools and materials. Pastor Westling then
informes the group that this volunteer workforce is how all work was
accomplished at the Marland Heights Church.
One of the CtSMHP
visions is to have small cottages surrounding the area to provide a camping
area for out of town visitors to the park/pool to stay and enjoy the scenic
area.
Jill Rowing, who owns
a business in the same building as Lickety Splits mentiones difficulty faced by
she and Gaston Blanc when dealing with the city to get his project of
remodeling an older building and opening a small business accomplished.
Doug Jackson states
that all the signs and shirts have been paid out of his
pocket. T-shirts will be available as a fundraiser. They should be
available at Lickety Splits later this week. All the money raised
will go the pool fund.
A citizen expressed
that Brooke/Hancock/Jefferson Commission may have grant money available for
parks and recreation.
The citizens were made
aware that we do have solid goals for the pool and a plan in the works.
Doug Jackson thanks
everyone for attending on the Committee to Save Marland Heights Pool’s behalf
and expressed the importance of staying involved. First by attending
the City Council meeting being held this Monday at 7 p.m. at the city
building. Second the Weirton Parks Board will be meeting Wednesday,
at 8 a. m. at the Marland Heights Pool. The importance was stressed
for everyone who is able to attend to please do so. It was discussed
to request the Parks Board have their meetings in the evening by presenting a
petition which is available to sign at this meeting.
The meeting ends, not
for lack of questions or discussion, but due to the late hour and growing
inclement weather.
If you haven’t
already, please become friends with Marland Heights Pool on
facebook and/or twitter and go to our website www.savemarlandheightspool.org
