By Dylan Marsh
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
NEWPORT — Wheeler Gym in the former Towle School, 86 N. Main St., will be closed indefinitely after school administrators were informed of issues with the floor by Director of Recreation PJ Lovely. The district is reviewing its options.
“It was reported to us that there is a lump in the floor,” Interim Superintendent Donna Magoon told the school board March 23. “So, upon further review, we had someone come out and cut a hole in the floor down to the membrane; there was no water on the membrane. We needed to do more research, so they cut a larger part and then went through the membrane to find that it was soaked.”
Other portions of the gym floor were checked for flooding, which showed water damage spread across the entire space. According to Magoon, the gym floor will need to be removed to give the concrete an opportunity to dry. Then they will need to locate and fix the leak.
Primex, the not-for-profit insurance agency that the district contracts with, has not had an opportunity to confirm if they will be covering the cost of replacement. Business Administrator Diane Mullholand will send photos of the damage before an assessment can be made.
Estimates given to Magoon indicate that completely repairing the gym floor may take months. Magoon said that she is optimistic that repairs can begin soon, given flooring companies that work with school districts are significantly busier in the summer.
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