McMechen Closes City Swimming Pool
Photo by Shelley Hanson Trending
McMECHEN - The city of McMechen will not be opening its swimming pool this summer due to damage, cost issues and low attendance, said Mayor David Goddard.
Goddard said Wednesday that members of city council voted recently to close the pool, citing the issues and lack of money to deal with the problems.
"The walls are falling in the deep end of the pool," he said, adding the pool is made of block walls covered with cement.
He noted the pool is not the type that can be fixed with a liner.
Because of this damage the city suffered $120,000 worth of water loss during last season. Goddard believes the water loss is due to the damaged walls. He believes there is water under the pool.
Another factor in the decision was the low attendance numbers.
"We've had very low turnout the last couple years at the pool, as little as five or six people," he said.
He attributes the low attendance to more people having backyard pools, people swimming at Benwood's newly refurbished pool and others wanting to swim at larger swimming pools in general.
Goddard said the city has made repairs to the pool over the years, but it cannot absorb such large losses in one season.
"Small cities cannot afford to lose that money in a time period of less than six months," he said.
Goddard said the city has tried to find grants to help fix the pool, but nothing has been available.
"If we find money or get some help, we will revisit and go from there," he said.
Goddard noted the last estimate the city received to repair the pool by getting rid of the damaged deep end was more than $300,000. He said that number would likely be higher today.
Goddard said the pool is about 50 years old. He remembers it opening when he was 10 years old.
Individuals or organizations who would like to offer assistance regarding the pool, can call the city offices at 304-232-3140.