Aquatorium Project Takes on Second Phase
Washington PA Observer Reporter
30 March 2012
MONONGAHELA - The city of Monongahela is preparing to begin
another phase of improvements to its riverside stage and park at a
cost of nearly $400,000.
With the new, $550,000 flooring and seating completed late last
year at the Noble J. Dick Aquatorium, the next project involves
installing docks in the Monongahela and building a skate park and
comfort station with rest rooms, Councilwoman Claudia Williams
said.
"I think there is a lot of potential there," Williams said
Thursday. "It's a great entertainment venue."
The 43-year-old aquatorium was identified as a resource in need of
rehabilitation several years ago when Monongahela conducted a
comprehensive zoning plan with its neighboring municipalities.
However, by 2009 the park had become rundown and used for just one
community event a year when Monongahela hosted the Fourth of July
fireworks display.
"We hope to put this in use most of the summer," Williams said,
adding that much of the cost of the repairs has been funded by
local, state and federal grants.
The 3,500-seat amphitheater was built with rows of wooden benches
painted to appear as a large U.S. flag climbing the hillside above
the river between Second and Fourth streets.
The flood-damaged benches have been replaced with a plastic-based
composition molded in the same flag colors.
"I love them. I kept samples floating in buckets of water for
months that didn't break apart," said Williams, who is overseeing
the project with Monongahela Councilman Ken Kulak.
The docks, which will extend 208 feet south of the stage, are
constructed in a similar plastic and being paid for with a
$100,000 grant from the U.S. Fish & Boat Commission. The
$257,000 skate park is being funded by the state Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources.
Williams said the city is working with local youth, including
efforts via Facebook, to determine what type of features they want
in the 50-by-1,000-foot skate park, which will be constructed at
the south end of the park.
The scope and size of the comfort station has yet to be
determined, she said.
Meanwhile, the Second Street entrance will be eliminated as part
of the project, which should be completed this year.