MORGANTOWN — It likely doesn’t come as much of a surprise that BOPARC saw a dramatic jump in visitors during the recently completed pool season.
After all, the city’s park system cut the ribbon on a $14 million pool and aquatic playground in upper Marilla Park in May, replacing the well-loved, geriatric blue rectangle that sat in the park’s lower stretch for some 65-plus years.
During a recent report, Executive Director Melissa Wiles said daily admission visits to BOPARC’s community pools saw a 219% increase in summer 2025.
Those numbers include 12,846 youth and senior visits and 10,204 adult visits based on daily admission totals. The counts do not represent unique visitors.
Wiles said BOPARC is still looking to break down what percentage of visits were to the new Marilla Pool versus the pool in Krepps Park.
In addition to an increase in daily visits, season pass totals also jumped.
There were 1,283 passes distributed as part of all-inclusive family season packages allowing access to both pools and 255 passes included in family packages for a single pool.
While pool access is done for the year, the splash pad in upper Marilla Park remains open to the public at no cost, weather permitting, from 8 a.m. until dark until Oct. 19.
“We’re thrilled with the success we saw at the Marilla Aquatic Complex in its first season and are proud to have the option to provide the community with an extended season through the addition of the splash pad, which continues to see high usage,” Morgantown Mayor and BOPRC President Danielle Trumble said. “We remain committed to providing high quality recreational amenities to all residents, whether they’re looking to spend the day at the pool, meet friends at the playground or lace up the skates at the rink.”
In other BOPARC news, the board has awarded a pair of pavilion projects to Veritas Contracting.
The first will replace the existing Krepps Park Pavilion at a cost of $339,599.67.
Wiles explained that much of the work will be financed through money coming to BOPARC from the city. What remains will be covered by BOPARC’s sales tax allocation.
The second, which will be financed entirely through sales tax revenue, will construct a new pavilion at Wiles Hill Community Center for $225,712.06. That project will include drainage and electrical work.
Veritas was the lowest of three bids for both projects.
“These are new structures. We’re talking about steel pavilions. An example would be what we did at Marilla Pool,” Wiles said. “So you’re talking about a steel structure with a metal roof that is made for longevity.”
Construction on one or both of the pavilions is likely to begin in early October.
