MORGANTOWN — A pair of documents laying out the financing plan for two major BOPARC projects skated by Morgantown City Council.
Council unanimously approved on first reading a bond authorizing ordinance that will convey ownership of the Morgantown Ice Arena and the future Marilla Pool complex to the Morgantown Building Commission in exchange for the sale and issuance of up to $29 million in lease revenue bonds by the commission.
The ice arena overhaul is estimated to be a $10.4 million to $11.5 million project. Bidding documents on the project are projected to go out in December and construction to follow in March.
The Marilla Pool project, which will eliminate the existing pool and create a $9 million to $11 million pool complex in upper Marilla Park, is expected to be under construction by early June.
BOPARC Executive Director Melissa Wiles said the relocation of the pool will likely be the first of many significant changes to the park.
“We are working with The Thrasher Group right now to re-envision the entire lower Marilla Park and get some concept designs with regard to that,” Wiles said when asked if the skate park would be moved to the pool’s current location. “We’re not married to any space for that skate park, but that’s the thought.”
The city will pay the debt service on the bonds in the form of lease payments to the building commission using BOPARC’s allocation from the city’s sales tax. Once the debt service on the bonds is paid off, the property deeds will return to the city.
Council also approved a reimbursement resolution allowing for the reimbursement of any project expenses incurred before the issuance of the bonds.
In other city news, council approved $38,041 to aid with a seasonal warming shelter at Hazel’s House of Hope.
Janette Lewis, community impact director for the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties, said there are currently 136 individuals registered for services with the West Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness. She said Morgantown Community Kitchen provided lunches for 96 individuals this past Monday.
“We just know we have a huge crisis on our hands, especially with the winter weather coming up,” Lewis said. “Bartlett Housing has a maximum capacity of 28 individuals a night … When people get to the shelter and they are full, we have no options for them. It’s my understanding they are referred to other shelters and the closest one is in Marion County.”
Lewis said all the funds being raised will be used to staff the shelter for a maximum of 105 days.
In addition to the city, the Mylan Puskar Foundation has provided $15,000 and Your Community Foundation has provided $5,500.
The Monongalia County Commission will take up a request for funds during its Nov. 9 meeting.
