The newly formed Sistersville Park and Pool Board gathered Feb. 4 at the Wells Inn in Sistersville.

Members of the public and other city organizations were present to discuss recently planned events, as well as future possibilities.

Much of their discussion concerned the “Winter Auction” scheduled for March 1 in the Sistersville High School Gym. People will be able to view the items starting at 10 a.m., and bidding will begin at 11 a.m. Food and drinks will be available.

All proceeds will go toward park and pool needs.

They are seeking donations for the fund raiser. Those who want to contribute items for the auction are asked to deliver them to the high school gym on Feb. 22 and 23. On Saturday items may be dropped off from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; on Sunday, items may be dropped off from 2-4 p.m. Those who would like to contribute but need their donations picked up can contact Park and Pool Chair Audist Pancake at home by calling 304-652-1023, or at their business Making Miracles by calling 304-652-4185.

“We need to really push this Winter Auction,” said Pancake. “Everyone that’s on the committee, ask your neighbors and your family members. They don’t have to live here in town. If they have stuff (they can donate for the auction), we will be more than glad to take it.”

“The more items that we have, the more money we can make for the park and pool.”

Sistersville Planning Commission Secretary Barbara Vincent suggested also accepting cash donations at the Winter Auction.

Planning Commission Member Terry Wiley showed the board tarps he uses for painting. He said that such tarps could cover and protect the gym floor during the auction. The Planning Commission agreed to absorb the costs of the tarps.

Pancake expressed a need for people to work the auction.

“We’re planning on doing postcards to put the numbers on,” she said.

“They will be highlighted so everybody’s going to know. But it’s going to be intense for whoever takes care of writing down how much. Whoever does it will have to sit right beside the auctioneer. I’m hoping we’ll have at least three, maybe four, people sitting there.”

They also discussed food possibilities.

“It’d be nice if we could even get some people to make some homemade pies,” said Pancake. “Those really go good.”

She noted that a craft and vendor show will be held at the Elks Lodge on March 1, stating she wanted to promote that event during the Winter Auction.

“Jodie Frum has contacted me about that,” she said. “We talked, and we’re all going to work together.”

The board approved a motion to either auction off or hold a drawing for a free family pool pass. Sistersville Planning Commission President Connie Boyd suggested that a person should be present to win it.

Board Member David Pancake mentioned keeping an eye on the utility bills in the gym.

“If that building is eating our budget, we need to figure it out,” he said. “We need to know what the bills are.”

He said that it would be good to have people regularly checking the gym in order to make sure that things are not left running, adding to additional utility costs. He suggested changing locks in particular places because they are unsure about the number of keys people have.

“This is the new committee,” he said. “In the last couple of years, the city itself was running the park, pool, and gym. Now we have a committee doing it. I think it’s in our best interest that we have new locks put on this stuff. That way we know who has the keys. Why would we let someone say they know where the keys are? Let’s decide for ourselves where the keys are and who has them.”

Other activities that may take place at the gym include: volleyball games, sporting events, professional wrestling, and music events.

Regarding the pool, they will need to purchase a lift chair as mandated by federal ADA regulations. They will soon be advertising for lifeguards, managers, and maintenance workers. Applications will be available in the near future.

“Everybody’s going to have to be hired and trained,” said Audist Pancake, stating that donations may pay for training.

The pool will open Memorial Day weekend.

Although the Park and Pool’s finances are reportedly “in the red,” Mayor Ann Doig said that council recently voted on an increase of levy funding going toward their needs.

“When the levy comes up to vote, push for it because the Park and Pool got a 10 percent increase in the amount of money they’re getting from the levy,” she said.

“That’s a substantial amount of money.”

The Park and Pool Board will also be working to obtain grants.

Other items discussed included: making a Sistersville Park and Pool Facebook Page, holding future fundraisers, cooperating with Relay for Life, and establishing a skate park.

The minutes of their first meeting, as written and read by Secretary Dee Dee Williamson, were approved.

“It’s been a wonderful meeting,” said Audist Pancake. “I’m totally pumped how everyone is working together. Fantastic ideas.”

“It’s a lot of hard work and a lot’s coming up, but I’ve got a great feeling that things are going to get better and turn around.”

Their next meeting will be March 4, 7 p.m., in the Wells Inn. They are hoping to have a representative from Wetzel-Valley Insurance Agencies there to explain future possibilities.