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| 07-24-03: Evaluation begins on extensive damage |
Celina's Breakaway Recplex reopening date unknown after flood
By LANCE MIHM
The Daily Standard
Though a timetable has not been set, plans are to reopen the Breakaway
Recplex exercise and health club, according to co-owner Melissa Smalley of Celina.
The building suffered extensive damage during the flooding that
followed the heavy rains on Independence Day weekend.
Smalley, who co-owns the center with Julie Harlamert of Coldwater, said
that cleanup in the complex has just started. During the peak of the flooding, there was
anywhere from three to six feet of standing water on the lower floors, Smalley said.
"We are cleaning equipment and storing it," Smalley said.
"There are a lot of areas that we couldn't clean because we haven't had
electricity."
Smalley said electricity finally was restored Tuesday. The amount of
damages due to the flooding and high water in the building has not been totaled to date,
she said. Shinn Brothers Construction has been helping evaluate the damages.
Smalley said the center has applied for emergency federal assistance
with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and inspectors arrived Tuesday to
also begin evaluations. The assistance would come in the form of a low interest loan
because FEMA does not offer grants to businesses.
"There is a lot of remodeling and reconstruction that is going to
have to be done," Smalley said. "But the plan at this time is to reopen after
everything has been done."
Smalley said the pool has been cleaned and was salvaged. The wooden
aerobics floor was ruined, however. Weight machines, office equipment and files and other
items have been cleaned. Smalley was not able to pinpoint what else will be usable.
"We are waiting for everything to dry out and to see how it
works," Smalley said.
The indoor-outdoor turf on the new soccer field will need a few
repairs, but will be able to be used again, Smalley believes.
Several of the classes at the center have been moved to other locations
and are still being held, Smalley said. Aquarobics classes are being held at the municipal
pool, and aerobics are being held at the empty building owned by Bruns Development at 805
Wayne St. Gymnastics and cheerleading classes are again being held at their former
location, the Celina Gymnastics Center.
"We are just so early in the process that I can't give any
timetables," Smalley said. "There is no definite date on reopening."
Breakaway has 1,500 memberships and a total of 3,500 members. Smalley
and Harlamert have owned it for a year and a half. Smalley said that members are not being
charged while the center is not open. |
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