ROGERS -- The rain that moved through the area Wednesday caused leaks at the Rogers Activity Center, closing the second floor Thursday and canceling day care services.
Franklin & Sons Roofing completed about two-thirds of a roofing project at the center designed to stitch several buildings together.
At A Glance (w/logo)
Roger Activity Center
• The Rogers Activity Center, 315 West Olive St., is open 89 hours per week, year-round. The center has served residents for more than 30 years.
• The majority of youth programs — soccer, football, softball, gymnastics, basketball and other programs — are handled by the center staff.
• A variety of adult programs — softball, basketball and tennis as well as weight lifting — is also part of center programming.
Source: Staff Report
"The rain hit before Franklin & Sons was able to complete the project," said Rick Stocker, city recreation director. "The leaking section is a flat roof. Water began to pool up Wednesday evening allowing water to leak into the building, bringing down ceiling tiles on the second floor and, in some places, on the first floor of the building," Stocker said.
The leaks began around 6 p.m. Wednesday, said Wendy Jones, operations manager.
"Everybody pitched in to place trash cans and pans on desks and other places where water was coming in," Jones said. "It was all hands on deck, but we got it done."
"We are from five to seven days away from finishing the roofing project," said Gary Stearman, Franklin & Sons project manager. We will begin work again Friday, assuming it's not raining. We plan to work Saturday as well to get the thermal membrane in place to stop the leaks."
The membrane couldn't be put in place until two air conditioning units on the roof were raised, Stearman said.
"The units were removed from the roof so new insulation could be installed before the membrane was installed. That was finished this week, and the units placed back on the roof. It just rained before we could finish the job," Stearman said.
The thermal membrane reacts to temperature when installed. As the temperature climbs, the material forms a tighter, waterproof bond with the roof, Stearman said.
Franklin & Sons was the low bidders at $113,792 and were awarded the contract in June, with an estimated completion date of 60 days once work began, according to city documents.
The center roof has been a problem for several years, said David Hook, city facilities development manager.
Structural work to shore up the roof was completed in 2012. The roof over one section of the center wasn't structurally sound before that work was completed. The roof has leaked since 2002, Hook said.
"The city didn't have the money to do what needed to be done. The roof should have been removed and a new roof installed covering the entire facility," Stocker said.
The center has been expanded several times with each expansion having its own roof tied into the roof of the structure, Hook said. Franklin & Sons is installing a single roof that covers the entire complex.
"We feel this roof will end the leak problem at the center," Stearman said. "We are so sure, we are giving the city a 20-year warranty on the new roof."
The Rogers Activity Center is owned by Rogers Youth Center Inc., a nonprofit organization. Through an agreement between the city and the Youth Center board, the city is responsible for building maintenance. The city's Recreation Department offices are at the center.
NW News on 08/01/2014