T-L File Photo/SHELLEY HANSON Belmont County Common Pleas Judge Al Davies, left, in 2019 swears in Jim Howard as a new Martins Ferry Park Board District member.

MARTINS FERRY — The Martins Ferry Park District Board is charged with managing the city’s parks, ballfield, recreation center and the 500,000-gallon swimming pool that helps keep residents cool in the summertime.

While the properties are owned by the city, the park district is charged with managing and maintaining the properties.

The rec center, aka the Veterans Memorial Recreation Center, includes a weight lifting room, racquetball court and gymnasium with a full basketball court. The center also has a dining room and kitchen. The center is often rented by people for wedding receptions, baby showers, birthday parties and more.

The swimming pool can also be rented for parties and includes use of the dining room and kitchen.

During the COVID-19 pandemic the rec center was closed to the public, but the gym was used by Martins Ferry City Council for a few of its meetings to allow people to social distance.

The swimming pool is located behind the rec center and is abutted by the City Park that features large mature trees, walking paths and a covered stage and seating area for concerts and plays.

Next to the park is a ballfield used by the Martins Ferry Civics for baseball and softball games. And adjacent to the ballfield is a large playground, small covered shelter and concession stand used during ball games.

The park district also includes the Hillandale ballfield used by the Martins Ferry Civics for baseball and softball games.

While the swimming pool is expected to be self-sustaining, the city does occasionally help with maintenance issues. For example, the city covered the cost of mechanical issues that arose twice in the pool’s pump house.

Annually, community groups and civic organizations and businesses all help sponsor free swims for the community that are typically well attended. While the pool may not make much money on its admissions, the concession stand does well and is popular with pool-goers. It sells a variety of snacks, food, ice cream and drinks to hungry kids and adults alike.

The park district’s most recent plan to improve the pool is fundraising to purchase a new diving board. The old board is in disrepair. The pool’s first Cardboard Regatta was held recently at the pool to help raise money via entries and donations by onlookers.

Two teams entered the competition — the Martins Ferry Pool Lifeguards and 20,000 Calories Under the Sea.

The winning team that made it across the pool and back without sinking in their cardboard boat was the Martins Ferry Pool Lifeguards. The 20,000 Calories Under the Sea team was given the Titanic Sinking Award.

The park district is planning to hold additional fundraisers to help purchase the diving board, estimated to cost about $10,000.

Park district board members include Jim Howard, Jamie Akron and David Beale. The board members are volunteers and serve three-year terms.