FARMINGTON – Town officials learned this week that the gym floor at the Community Center cannot be salvaged. The building was damaged last month when a roof drain failed and heavy rains flooded the center.

Recreation Director Steve Shible pointed out areas that were framed in white tape that have buckled on the floor.

Individual boards on the once smooth and shiny maple surface floor could now be identified from the cupped edges.

The moisture control firm hired to take the moisture out of the building did everything they could to save it, Town Manager Dick Davis said.

The building is 62 years old and the floor is believed to be original.

Davis said Shible is seeking estimates on replacement of the maple floor.

Costs for the new floor are expected to exceed $40,000. The building is covered by insurance.

Computers, ceiling tiles, flooring and other aspects of the building have to be replaced.

“It’s been very disrupting, something I could have lived without,” Shible said, but the building is being upgraded with the improvements.

“My goal is to have the downstairs ready by Election Day,” which is Nov. 4, Shible said.

He’s hoping to get the downstairs ready so that kids could come to the recreation center and have some fun.

The upstairs is expected to stay closed until the gym floor is replaced.

In the lobby upstairs at the center, Shible and Assistant Director Aaron Keegan have started a Community Center Flood board. On it hangs a large, green “Get Well” construction paper card for the building and directors, signed by the children of the Head Start program in Farmington.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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