MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A Monongalia County public pool has reopened with a half-million dollars of improvements like adding a pool fence.
The Camp Muffly Pool pool near Morgantown opened earlier this week for the first time since 2019. The $500,000 investment is the largest improvement project at the pool since it was built in 1953 for about $50,000.
Former Monongalia County commissioner and local historian Ed Hawkins said Harry Muffly founded Camp Muffly in 1929 but it wasn’t until 1958 when it officially rededicated in his name. Muffly served as the county extension agent for 31 years and under his leadership the camp grew to 29 acres with 12 buildings and a modern swimming pool for the times.
“Harry Muffly created a pool in the creek by lining Booths Creek with stones on either side and he created a dam,” Hawkins said. “So, up until 1953 that was the camp pool.”
Soon, Wheeling Steel opened a coal mine at the headwaters of Booths Creek. According to Hawkins, Harry Muffly feared the mine would impact the environment and began to test the water and local wildlife.
The mine did suffer a blowout, according to Hawkins that ruined the creek swimming area and resulted in a settlement with Wheeling Steel to build a more permanent facility.
“They (Wheeling Steel) would pay $50,000 for a new pool to be done and it was created in 1953 and that pool served the camp well,” Hawkins said.
Efforts to fund improvements at the pool over the years did not get traction despite numerous requests to state officials for funding. But, that changed in 2019 when commissioners, including Hawkins, approved the improvements.
Commissioners allocated about $500,000 from the county portion of recreation levy for construction and a $25,000 grant from the Hazel Ruby McQuain Charitable Trust for the design.
Work crews from Monongalia County removed the old pool and constructed a new shower house.
“There’s been so much development in that area, going up Route 119 that I can’t help but think that pool will be successful,” Hawkins said.