MORGANTOWN — An unusually large crowd filled the Monongalia County Commission chamber on Wednesday as Rachel Ridgway’s senior civics class made the short trek from Trinity Christian School to observe the commission in action.
The meeting included the announcement of an upcoming ribbon cutting and open house for the track portion of the Mountaineer Center track and aquatic facility.
Commission President Tom Bloom said the ribbon cutting will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 26. An open house will follow, from 3:30- 6:30 p.m.
The facility is located at 1835 Fitness Way, in Mylan Park.
Bloom said the track portion of the Mountaineer Center cost roughly $8 million and will be “the best facility east of the Mississippi.”
“This thing is unbelievable and it is going to be open for the public,” Bloom said. “We want the high schools to use it and that’s what we’re planning on doing. This commission is adamant on making sure this thing opens on time.”
In other county news, the commission approved $10,000 for emergency repairs to portions of the rail-trail system at the request of the Mon River Trails Conservancy (MRTC).
MRTC Director Ella Belling made the request last week, explaining that higher-than-normal rainfall has caused damage to portions of the trail’s surface and impacted the trail’s drainage system.
Commissioner Ed Hawkins said the rail-trail system serves not only as a recreational opportunity but a selling point for Morgantown and Monongalia County.
“It is an economic driver for our area,” Hawkins said. “When it was established many years ago I know people had questions about it, but the success now and the extensions we plan on doing to these trails will be very important to the health and well-being of the community.”
The commission voted 2-0-1 in favor of the funding. Bloom, who serves on the MRTC board, abstained.
The commission also:
— Announced an informational workshop and public meeting on possible modifications to the new I-79 interchange at Exit 153. The meeting will be held from 4- 7 p.m. on Oct. 24 at the Monongalia County Ballpark, Suite 3.
— Approved payment of Requisition No. 9 from the Morgantown Industrial Park tax increment financing (TIF) district in the amount of $252,152.06 to Adrian Enterprises for project management and Stone Paving for excavation work.
— Approved payment of Requisition No. 11 for the University Town Centre TIF district refunding and improvement bonds, Series 2017, in the amount of $10,472.52. The payment is to Municap.
— Approved payment of Requisition No. 4 for the University Town Centre 2016 TIF administrative fund in the amount of $15,412.50. The payment is to Municap.
— Received a 4-H update from Becca Fint-Clark, the county’s extension agent for 4-H development. Fint-Clark said the county saw nearly 7,000 4-H participants in 2017. Oct. 7- 13 is National 4-H Week.
— Signed a proclamation recognizing Oct. 6 as WVU Alumni Band Day.
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