Kingwood Pool Committee makes progress with plans, Committee sees first visual presentation of site

Plans also include a multi-use open air pavilion with terraced seating to comfortably seat 250 people under the roof.

“The pavilion would be ideal for concerts, reunions and weddings,” Jessica said. “We are also working very closely with the parks and recreation commission to integrate the new rail trail that will run beside the park.”

The committee is thankful Omni & Associates for taking time to listen to their ideas, visions and needs for the area.

“Richard and Omni & Associates has taken time to listen to our input,” Kingwood Pool Committee co-chair Mike Lipscomb said. “They are developing a plan that will add invaluable recreational and social opportunities for our residents.”

The committee wants to make sure each step is planned in a thorough manner before presenting it to Kingwood City Council, after which they will present the plans to the public.

“One of our goals is to have an operational open air pool next summer,” Jessica said. “We need to finalize all our figures after we have the plan in order to present it.”

Jessica Lipscomb also spoke with U.S. Rep. David McKinley, (R-First District) on July 31 about the pool project, and he seemed very enthusiastic about it.

“Congressman McKinley seemed appreciative of our efforts to revitalize recreational opportunities in Preston County,” Jessica said. “He was appreciative of the need for a community pool in which swimming lessons can be held since we have a large percentage of our population that swims in the nearby Cheat River.”

McKinley told Lipscomb he will write recommendation letters of support to help what he can to move the project forward with funding.

“McKinley did explain he cannot earmark money any longer for projects due to federal law, but hopes the recommendations would help,” Jessica said.

The pool committee was formed in January when several residents came forward asking what they could do to help get the pool reopened. The Kingwood City Council agreed to form a committee of two council members and five community members to address the situation.

The Kingwood pool has been closed for several years. Renovations put it under roof so the pool could be open year-round. Metal posts were placed into the main structure of the pool to support the roof.

The city could not continue to operate the pool due to high costs. The cost to operate and keep the pool open was approximately $10,000 per month. The building has been sitting vacant, except for the therapy pool which is being used by Preston Memorial Hospital.