BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The Beckley City Council convened Tuesday evening for their regular session which addressed, among other things, the ongoing issue of pool closings.
Word spread of likelihood that the New River and Black Knight pools would not being opening for the upcoming summer season in the wake of the previous city council assembly earlier in the month.
Since that time, public outcry throughout the area has been notable, with residents rallying together last week in protest of the continued closures.
Beckley Mayor Rob Rappold addressed the issue Tuesday, stating that while the Black Knight pool was almost certain to remained closed for the rest of the year, the city was “not giving up” on the opening of the Sharon Dempsey (New River) pool.
During the public participation portion of the meeting, Beckley resident Noah Kapp spoke on the issue, revealing that he had spoken with Beckley Parks & Recreation Director Leslie Baker about the possibility of his company assisting in the staffing and funding of the pool.
Kapp further disclosed that he and his company had already begun the recruitment process, despite the fact that this agreement would need to be approved by the Beckley City Council prior to anything moving forward in any official capacity.
Nonetheless, the Beckley City Council expressed enthusiasm at the proposition, which is expected to be heard as an agenda item during the next city council meeting according to Beckley Mayor Rob Rappold.
Kapp also stated that Parks & Recreation Director Baker had already received a copy of the proposal.
Councilman-at-Large Michael Reedy pointed out on Tuesday that city council had been “blind-sighted” by the breaking of the news that the city pools would remain closed throughout the summer, citing lack of communication between the council and Parks & Recreation Department.
Parks & Rec Director Baker asserted that the development had been disclosed during an interaction with a resident for which she had not been prepared.
