The new Heritage Port Splash Pad near WesBanco Arena is taking shape while the heat wave continues in the Ohio Valley. Work on the new splash pad, which was originally expected to be completed around Memorial Day Weekend, is now expected to continue through mid-August. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

WHEELING – A nearly $400,000 project intended to help to cool off visitors to Heritage Port has been significantly delayed, as the new splash pad being built there has had its completion date pushed back to around the time when students are heading back to school.

Although the dog days of summer linger in the Ohio Valley with temperatures surpassing the 90s several days in a row this month, there will be no relief from the heat at the new recreational feature near the waterfront – an investment that was originally planned for completion around Memorial Day.

During Tuesday night’s meeting of Wheeling City Council, City Manager Robert Herron reported that the Heritage Port Splash Pad project that has been ongoing outside the entrance to WesBanco Arena since last spring has experienced delays, but should be finished in the coming weeks.

“The WesBanco Arena Splash Pad Project continues to progress … slower than we anticipated,” Herron said Tuesday night. “That area is a very difficult area to work in because of the electricity and all of the things that are associated with the arena, as well as Heritage Port. But that project is slated to be completed by mid-August.”

Money from the city’s pool of federal pandemic relief money from the American Rescue Plan Act was used to fund the splash pad construction.

Last summer, Savage Construction was awarded a $348,500 contract with the city to construct the new splash pad outside of WesBanco Arena utilizing the ARPA funds. Work initially got underway on the new splash pad on the south end of Heritage Port in April, and the original completion date on the contract was May 31.

Herron said the reasons for the delays have been multifaceted. He said there have been supply chain issues, and there have been a number of underground or subsurface challenges, including water, electric and sewer lines that were not always in the precise locations where the “as built” drawings show they were.

“Plus, out of caution, we have paused the project for a couple of special events this summer,” Herron explained, noting that the July 4 celebration and a number of other big events at Heritage Port often draw large crowds to the area around the construction zone for the splash pad.

The new Heritage Port Splash Pad near WesBanco Arena is taking shape while the heat wave continues in the Ohio Valley. Work on the new splash pad, which was originally expected to be completed around Memorial Day Weekend, is now expected to continue through mid-August. (Photo by Eric Ayres)

In somewhat related news, Herron also reported that most of the city operated swimming pools will be closing in the coming weeks, as the public schools are slated to begin the 2024-25 school year soon.

“The Parks and Recreation Department will be announcing that – due to school beginning a little bit earlier this year, which takes away some of our lifeguards – the city pools will close on Aug. 11,” he said. “The Warwood Pool, however, will remain open on weekends through Labor Day. Again, that’s contingent on us being able to secure lifeguards at the pools in light of school starting early.”

Several members of the public spoke during Tuesday’s meeting, including a handful of representatives from Serenity Hills Life Center. Several weeks ago, a dozen representatives of Serenity Hills – an addiction recovery center on the hilltop above the Ohio River near Clearview, just north of Warwood – addressed council as funds from the West Virginia opioid settlement were being distributed.

Those speaking on behalf of Serenity Hills said they wished to introduce themselves to the new council that took office earlier this month and to invite city officials to tour the facility. Representatives encouraged city leaders to learn more about the center and to consider helping with financial assistance in the future.

Tuesday’s meeting of Wheeling City Council was only the second regular meeting for the newly sworn council that took office July 1 for the four-year term of 2024-28. It was a relatively quick meeting with a number of council members absent, including new Mayor Denny Magruder and new Vice Mayor Jerry Sklavounakis.

Veteran Councilman Dave Palmer presided over the meeting and noted that Magruder was under the weather and Sklavounakis was on vacation. Several council members relayed a message from Sklavounakis to encourage the public to support the upcoming Grecian Festival in Center Wheeling July 24-27.

Palmer noted that Tuesday was somewhat of a landmark day for his tenure of service in the city of Wheeling.

“On July 16 of 1984, I walked through the front doors here and was sworn in as a Wheeling Police Officer. Forty years later, I sit before you. It’s been a pleasure to serve the city of Wheeling in all capacities, so thank you,” Palmer said, garnering a round of applause.

Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron and Councilman Dave Palmer, from left, participate in Tuesday night’s regular meeting of Wheeling City Council. (Photo by Eric Ayres)