Ohio County Schools approves $646,000 partnership to rebuild Wheeling Park tennis courts

The Ohio County Board of Education voted Aug. 10 to move forward with a partnership and memorandum of understanding to rebuild tennis facilities at Wheeling Park and provide priority use for district students.

Rick Jones, who presented the plan to the board, said the project converts six park courts to hard courts and adds 12 pickleball courts, restroom facilities, shelter and improved parking. "So we will convert those to hard courts so our high school kids can play on them, and there will also be, pickleball courts," Jones said during the presentation. Jones told the board the project in the packet was priced at $646,000 and that the Park Commission's shelter and parking address current site shortcomings.

The board discussed funding sources and staff said permanent-improvement and other facilities-dedicated funds can cover the work. The chair moved to proceed as presented; after a second, the board indicated its approval by voice vote.

The district will finalize the MOU and confirm the term of the agreement; the chair estimated a useful-life term "somewhere in the 20 range with an extension" and said the exact length will be confirmed when the agreement is signed. District staff said the MOU packet includes pricing and a proposed agreement governing school priority use and off-season community use.

Board materials show the project is a public–park partnership intended to expand community access while relieving long-standing infrastructure problems at the high school's current court site. Officials said work would be scheduled to be completed in the fall and ready for spring athletics.