Story and Video: Glen Dale Set For Major Renovations To Community Pool
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For more than five decades, the Glen Dale Municipal Pool has been a cornerstone of the community, a gathering place for young and old alike. It has been around since 1974, but had never received a major renovation. That’s about to change.
Glen Dale officials gathered at the pool Wednesday morning to announce the first phase of full-scale renovations, which will bring the pool out of its 20th-century look and into the present.
“For more than 50 years, the Glen Dale pool has served generations of families,” Glen Dale Mayor Janet Scott said. “So we’re proud that we can ensure the facility remains accessible, functional and welcoming for another 50 years to come.”
The first renovation phase will focus on the pool house. It will include a renovated snack bar area, ADA compliance improvements to the men’s and women’s shower and restroom facilities and a small expansion to accommodate a new mechanical room for the baby pool.
The City of Glen Dale and its parks and recreation board has worked with Bel-O-Mar to secure funding for the $424,800 first phase. Half will come from a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant, while the other half will be supported by the city’s general fund. Substantial completion is slated for March 2027, in time for the pool to welcome guests by Memorial Day.
“It’s very exciting,” said Betsy Frohnapfel, chair of the city’s parks and recreation board. “I’ve always been under the belief that, if you lose your municipal pool, you lose your community. So I’m here to support the City of Glen Dale in their quest for getting grants and contributions to do the project and see it through the end of Phase Two.
The second phase will include improvements to the main pool and baby pool. The total renovation will be a multimillion-dollar project, Frohnapfel said.
But Scott said the price tag is well worth it to benefit her hometown.
“It gives kids the opportunity to come every day,” she said. “We’re local. We’re in a safe place. It’s very accessible and there’s a lot to do. We have a beautiful park here.”