Boston Town Gym Damaged By Water

The steep repair costs associated with the Maynard Parks And Recreation’s decision to spend $17,000 on the rundown Memorial Gym have caused the resignation of the organization’s chairman. 

Geoff Beharrell resigned on March 23 after recently hiring  JJ Hardwood Floors to repair the gym’s water damaged floor.  The repair work did not follow the state’s procurement laws, that require a bidding process on all public-works projects over $5,000.

The gymn was closed following Beharrell’s resignation, on March 24, because there wasn’t enough money to pay for repairs and maintenance. 

Jay Bourgeois, who owns JJ Hardwood, said an insurance adjuster told him to proceed with repairs to the gym. He started in mid-January and was still working on the project when the gym was shuttered, he said. His efforts included placing heaters and industrial fans on the basketball court’s wooden floor to draw out moisture, and repairing areas that had been damaged by dripping water. It would cost another $20,000 to finish the job, he said, but warned that the leaky roof would cause more damage in the future.

“They had snow blowers up on the roof to get rid of the snow, and it tore up the rubber membrane,’’ said Bourgeois. “I got called in to save the gym.’’

Bourgeois repaired the gym’s floor two years ago after residents voting at Town Meeting appropriated $16,000 for the project. On May 16, Town Meeting is slated to decide whether to approve a warrant article that would provide $400,000 for roof and other repairs. The figure still might not be enough to keep the gym open, though. Sullivan said the facility needs an overhaul costing as much as $3 million.

The Memorial Gym is a perfect example of what can occur when water damage is left untreated.  Water causes tremendous damage all on its own, however, left untreated, it can go on causing problems for weeks, months, or in this case years after the initial event.  Water can get into every nook and cranny of your home or business, causing the premature rotting of wood or rusting of metal, both of which can lead to stability problems with the structure, making it unsafe for habitation.

Untreated water damage may also pave the way for additional problems such as mold, which can establish itself within 48 hours of water damage, spread rapidly, and prove almost impossible to remediate.  Mold also brings with it all manner of health hazards from the slight allergic reactions such as runny nose, watery eyes, or skin irritations, to the more severe neurological disorders such as lung disease and even death.

It is cases such as this that necessitate the hiring of a certified, professional water damage restoration company.  The proper company in this case should be available 24/7/365, with a full staff of trained professionals, state of the art water damage restoration equipment, and offer a full range of services from water extraction and drying, to carpet cleaning and mold removal, as well as structural repair, reconstruction and restoration, as needed.

Look for a water restoration company that has been certified by an industry leader such as the IICRC or RIA and call today for a free estimate or phone consultation.