Crime & Safety
YMCA Gym Floor Drying Out After Flooding
Fans have been running non-stop to pull moisture from the wood floor that was flooded on March 7 from heavy rains.
The gymnasium floor at the Farmington Valley YMCA is showing signs of improvement after suffering severe flood damage in early March.
Heavy rainfall caused water to pool up outside the doors of the gymnasium where several inches of snow still blocked its path. Several inches of water covered the polished wood floor and it was initially thought to be a total loss.
Associate Executive Director of the Farmington Valley YMCA Shawn Fongemie said the water seeped down between the wood floor and the concrete below it. The floor had to be sanded down as well.
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“There was a good two inches of water,” he said. “I was shocked. It was wall to wall.”
The Lost Acres Fire Department reported to the scene and assisted with removing the water from the gymnasium.
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In addition to the fans, Fongemie said tubes were also placed beneath the floor and used to force air through the gaps and keep the water moving.
The entire gymnasium is blanketed in plastic to prevent the moisture from spreading to the rest of the building.
With the fans constantly working, Fongemie said, “I think we’re getting a lot of the moisture.”
After the floor dries, Fongemie said the floors will have to be recoated. Once the sealant has been applied, approximately seven additional days are needed to make sure the floor is completely dry before it can be used again.
“It depends on how long it takes to dry and when we feel safe with the readings,” he said.
Exactly when the gymnasium will open up again to the public is hard to pinpoint, he said, because the amount of time the floor will take to dry is currently unknown.
In the mean time, Fongemie said several classes that usually utilize the gym have been moved around or cancelled, including gymnastics, basketball, t-ball, floor hockey and open family time.
“All thats been affected,” he said.
Updates on the program changes are available on the YMCA’s website.
Fongemie said he is unsure what the cost for the damage will be, but added that it will go through their insurance.
