Putnam County's Valley Park improvement project will move forward as commissioners accepted a bid from Wolf Creek Contracting Company, based in Waterford, Ohio.
The project will cost almost $4.5 million. Five other companies also bid on the project.
The project will allow construction of a new entrance sign and lane for the park, new playgrounds, a new convention center, baseball and soccer fields and multiple other park improvements.
Putnam County Parks Director Jarrod Dean said the improvements will allow multiple events to be held in the county, including large sporting competitions, concerts and weddings.
"It's going to be the most premier destination point in Putnam County," Dean said.
Dean said he hopes the project will encourage residents to spend more time and money in the county by attending and hosting events at the park. He said many residents choose to spend time in Charleston or Huntington now, but his plans for the park will bring businesses to Putnam County.
"With some of these plans, people can stay right here in the county, and spend their hard-earned money in the county," Dean said.
Dean said residents should be proud of the county and its commissioners for taking the initiative to improve the park.
"When you look at how much Putnam County has grown over the years, this is icing on the cake," Dean said.
Commissioners also voted to construct a new maintenance building and perform demolition work at the park as part of a separate project. The project, which will be completed by Huntington-based Capital Builders, will cost just under $360,000.
County commissioners also voted to change the county's commission meeting times on a trial basis. Meetings will now be held at 9 a.m. on the second Tuesday of the month and at 5:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of the month.
Newly elected Commissioner Ron Foster proposed the change after multiple people approached him during the election, saying they couldn't make it to meetings because it was during working hours.
The change will begin at the next scheduled meeting, set for 5:30 p.m. Jan. 24. Commissioners will consider changing the schedule again if attendance is low.
Reach Ali Schmitz at ali.schmitz@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-4843 or follow @SchmitzMedia on Twitter.