What started as a brief tour through the city’s recreation center turned out to be a boon for the City of Martins Ferry and its mayor, John Davies.
Martins Ferry junior Ryan Theaker approached the mayor about possibly doing his Eagle Scout project at the city’s recreation center. Davies’ administration has made it a point to upgrade and increase the use of the facility, and the mayor was more than happy to walk through the building and grounds with Theaker to show him some things that could use attention.
“We showed him some stuff that needed done, everything from painting and fixing benches, to making benches—we talked about a lot of things,” Davies said.
Accompanying the younger Theaker was his father, Rich Theaker II, the current owner of Theaker Excavating.
Davies said the elder Theaker casually asked questions about the recreation center, what improvements had been made, what all was still needed—inquiries of that sort. It wasn’t until the end of the walkthrough that Davies learned the underlying reasoning behind those inquiries.
“We got out of the dining area, and he said he’d like to make a donation to help the rec center get back into shape,” Davies said.
Davies said he pointed out during the walkthrough about the pool’s splash pad and the need for a new filter. Davies noted that a new filter can range anywhere from $70,000-$120,000.
The undisclosed amount of the donation isn’t enough to cover that in its entirety, but the sizable charitable offering will go a long way toward helping replace the filter.
“He wanted to help us get the pool back in shape for the kids,” Davies said. “We thought we’d see a smaller donation, but when we opened up the check they mailed, it was a pretty substantial sum.
“This will help us get the pool up and running back to where it was.”
Lending a Hand
The Theakers are a hard-working, humble family that lives outside of Martins Ferry in the Colerain area of Belmont County.
Rich II is the third generation of the family in the excavating business after J. Mansell Theaker opened the business back in 1943. His son, Richard M. Theaker, joined his father in 1964 and helped incorporate the company in 1978.
Davies, through his company Davies Construction, knew both Rich Sr. and Rich II and has worked with both of them previously.
“Rich is pretty quiet and noted that as long as I let people know the donation was in memory of his father, that it was okay to publicize it,” Davies said. “I knew his dad for years and back when I was service director and we had some problems, they came right in and helped out.
“I’ve known him for a long time and we were talking shop since we’re in the same business, exchanging tips we’ve learned, and then they surprised me with (the donation).
“They are just good, all-around people, and good business people.”
Davies also noted this is the largest individual donation the city received. Unified Bank, chief among other businesses in town, has donated considerable funds to the city, but in terms of individuals, the donation from Rich II and his wife Jennifer far exceeds previous donations.
Safe to say, donations like that genuinely help out the city, especially when unexpected.
“When we get donations like this, it just makes my job a lot easier,” Davies said. “We’ve had some instances where people promised funding and it hasn’t come through.”
Davies is thinking of putting up a donation plaque in the city building, so people can see who has donated to the city, similar to the Mayor’s and Police Department’s plaques already in city hall.
Going Forward
Big things are in store for the recreations center. Davies can turn around to see the calendar depicting rental availability at the facility but are not many openings.
From basketball practices to baseball and softball teams using the batting cages to a host of other opportunities, the rec center is being used more now than at any time in recent memory.
Davies wants that trend to continue, and he seems to have the full backing of the council for that plan.
“Council gave a percent, I’m not sure how much either four or five, to the rec center from the income tax money,” Davies said. “That way we can hire a director and help put on programs for both youth and seniors.”
This came after earlier in the year council approved $30,000 to help get the rec center presentable when the city took over running the facility.
“I’ve been lucky that council is so supported about everything we ask for,” Davies said. “They never batted an eye.
“And Andy (Sutak) is a big player as he finds the funding when I tell him I want to do something. He’s really intertwined with the rec center and making it back to what it used to be years ago.
“We have softball, basketball, Civics’ coaches practicing using the batting cages, roller skating—there’s a variety of things going on and we can do more.”
Davies believes the city is moving in the right direction, and that includes the rec center. He wants to continue not only providing opportunities for its citizens at the center but also expand the offerings available to further enhance the experience and amenities in town.
“I think it’s really important to keep the kids off the street and provide them things to do, in a supervisor environment, and maybe bring in some mentors to come in and work with them.
“We’d also like to have Saturday evening adult skates, to give the adults a little break once in a while, and a chance to get out.
“We have a lot of hope and dreams, but it’s just a matter of making it a reality.”
