PRINCETON, W. Va. -The City of Princeton has been planning additions to their municipal complex for some time now, including a new community center. Now, they’ve finalized funding to extend those additions across the street for a new, dual-entry wave pool, something the City expects to be a draw for both locals and out-of-town visitors.
“A wave pool because it’s unique, there’s nothing else like it, really, in the tri-state area, and you’d have to drive several hours to see a wave pool similar to the one that will be added here…” says Samuel Lusk, the economic development director, City of Princeton, “…It will add additional facilities for the community to enjoy but as well as new facilities to attract new residents and folks to this area.”
While currently an empty lot on Bee Street, concept art shows the wave pool will have two sides, with one side having a splash pad. There will also be an additional “bathhouse” building for showers, lockers, and office spaces for Princeton’s Recreation Department.
The City has worked closely with First Community Bank to finalize the $4,000,000 in bonds needed to begin the wave pool. This is in addition to the $475,000 already secured by the City.
“Projects like this really take a village, and it wouldn’t be possible without First Community Bank’s work to be able to offer this type of financing, but also the Preservati Family Charitable Trust Foundation actually donated the land where the wave pool will be situated, so we just thank all of our partners, but especially those two,” says Lusk.
Lusk says the wave pool’s announcement has caused excitement in the community and questions about when this project will begin, something he says they can expect to see in a couple of months.
Lusk adds that after they break ground on the wave pool, the next step will be the bids for a contractor. He adds that the actual opening date will be dependent on who is chosen, but he expects construction to take about a year to eighteen months.
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