MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Pools and attractions are opening across the area for Memorial Day activities.
In Morgantown, the Board of Park and Recreation Commissioners is opening two community pools Saturday.
“We’re very excited, it’s the opening of our pools!” Morgantown Deputy Mayor and Fifth Ward Councilor Danielle Trumble declared. “We’ll be opening both Marilla and Krepps Pools on Saturday, May 27 at noon.”
Typically, pools open for Memorial Day, then close until school dismisses for the summer, when the normal schedule begins. Because Monongalia County Schools had no snow days, classes will end on May 31 instead of an early June release.
“Regular service for the opening of the season: noon until 6 p.m.,” Trumble said. “We’re actually staying open for the season since school closes so close to Memorial Day this year—they’re not going into June; they’re done at the end of May.”
Trumble said this will be the final season for the current pool and location at Marilla Park. In late 2022, the Morgantown City Council approved a plan to replace the Marilla Park Pool at a cost of about $11 million.
“The pool is actually going to move,” Trumble said. “It’s going to expand a little and move to Upper Marilla Park, where a baseball field used to be.”
The 60-year-old pool at Marilla Park has doubled the expected life span of 30 years and is in need of repairs, but is ready for the final season.
“The current plans say the new pool should be ready by opening day next year,” Trumble said. “We hope everything stays on track and the weather cooperates.”
Monongalia County Parks and Recreation will open the Camp Muffly Pool Friday at noon, and Saturday they’ll host a showing of the movie Jaws in the pool.
To the south, in Marion County, there is Coal Country Miniature Golf, operated by Mike Rohaly. Just off I79 in the Fairmont area, many activities will be open from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday and noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
“We have an 18-hole mini-golf course, and our batting cages are available,” Rohaly said. “I have four cages—three baseball machines and one softball machine.”
Rohaly said the Northern Appalachian Coal Mining Heritage Association also has a museum on site and is in the process of building a coal mine exhibit on the property.
“We also have a little coal exhibit, a museum-type thing that’s sponsored by a local non-profit group and is free and open to the public,” Rohaly said.
Rohaly said in addition to the great views from the property, they have a full concession stand, including pepperoni rolls, and a way to work off the extra calories.
“We also have a 9-hole disc golf course that surrounds the mini-golf course—nice scenery and exercise,” Rohaly said.