The Monongalia County Commission is looking at a $500,000 overhaul of the Camp Muffly swimming pool.
During Wednesday’s regular meeting, the commission opened a $497,400 bid from Pittsburgh-based Aqua Pool to replace the existing pool structure with a sprayed concrete mixture known as shotcrete.
The cost will also cover the decking surrounding the pool, which was built in 1953 and is not handicapped accessible.
Not included in that cost will be the construction of new shower rooms, which will be taken on by the county’s construction crew.
Commissioner Tom Bloom said funds for the project will come from the parks and trails excess levy passed by voters in 2016 and renewed in 2020.
In 2019, the commission used a $25,000 grant from the Hazel Ruby McQuain Charitable Trust to commission design work from Alpha Associates.
The commission unsuccessfully applied for a $600,000 grant from the Trust to replace the pool in 2017-18.
Commission President Sean Sikora said Aqua Pool’s bid will be handed over to the county’s facilities director for evaluation, and a cost analysis will be conducted as the county only received one bid.
In other news, the commission said it will not vacate or reconsider previous rulings in reference to the estate of Arthur P. Scotchel, who died in March 2009.
Lou Scotchel has frequented commission meetings over the years to voice his objection to the handling of his late uncle’s estate.
He was on hand last week opposing the commission’s recent acceptance of the fiduciary commissioner’s final accounting. In a subsequent letter, he claimed there is no available transcript of the most recent administrative hearing and asked the commission to vacate the results.
Commissioner Jeff Arnett said audio recordings of the hearing are available.
“We’ve already ruled on this estate and accepted the recommendations from the fiduciary commissioner. At this time, we’re not in a position to overrule that. The appeal process from a hearing happens prior to that recommendation, and there’s a procedure set forth for that,” Arnett said. “The prior approval that’s been granted still stands.”
Lastly, Bloom provided an update on the status of Monongalia County Teen Court following a Tuesday night board meeting.
“The teen court program, as of right now, has been put on hiatus,” Bloom said. “Since there are not enough funds to pay for the teen coordinator position, that individual will be laid off as of March 1, and there is no position as of this time.”
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