BARNESVILLE IS a western Belmont County community well known for its annual Pumpkin Festival. The nationally recognized fest is a rite of September.

We also view Barnesville as a village full of visionary leaders, willing to work together for the good of their residents.

A steering committee has been formed to explore the possibility of constructing a new community center. The newly formed panel is one that is broadbased, incorporating individuals from three vital sectors: Barnesville Hospital, the school district and the village.

The coalition — along with a $2,000 contribution from the Barnesville Community Foundation — will fund a $9,500 feasibility study in regards to constructing the new center. The new facility, should it come to fruition, would feature an indoor swimming pool, a 200-meter track, tennis, volleyball and basketball courts.

A recreation center of such magnitude would be a feather in the cap to an already jewel of a village.

To their credit, committee members have taken a very nice project a step or two further. In addition to the aforementioned features, the center may also boast physical, cardiac and pulmonary facilities, as well as a therapy pool.

It is a facility the entire village and surrounding areas could embrace and utilize.

A recreation levy will be needed to make the center a reality. That is no surprise, nor should it be a detriment.

While a definitive site for the proposed center has not been finalized, we view this as a tremendous sign of progress and one that may spur additional development.

We commend all those involved in the Barnesville community center project and encourage them to proceed with unbridled passion. Moreover, we hope village residents support the plan as it will spawn healthy growth in their community.