Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Fire marks latest setback to close YMCA branch in JC

Fire marks latest setback to close YMCA branch in JC

New recovery effort follows flood

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An open door in the West Family branch of the YMCA marks the spot of a weekend fire in the gym area. 
The building, damaged by flooding last month, is closed again because of a weekend fire. 
Officials hope to have the building open in a week to 10 days. / GEORGE BASLER / Staff Photo

JOHNSON CITY -- Less than two months ago after being flooded, the West Family branch of the YMCA was closed and without power Monday after being hit by a fire.
Officials hope to finish enough restoration work to reopen in seven to 10 days, said Gareth Sansom, CEO of the West Family and Binghamton branches of the YMCA.
The Saturday evening fire caused significant smoke damage to the gym, wrecked the facility's electrical system and sent the smell of smoke throughout the 25,000-square-foot building, he said. The gym floor, which had just been replaced, may have to be replaced again.
Sansom estimated the cost of the damage at between $400,000 and $500,000.
"This is another setback, but we're determined to bounce back quickly," he said.
In September, the West Family branch was completely closed for eight days after 22 inches of water flooded the one-story building. The price tag for flood repairs was around $1 million, with the damage covered by flood insurance.
Saturday's fire, which was reported around 7 p.m., started in a storage room adjacent to the gym. Firefighters kept the fire confined to that area, but flames damaged the room and the roof above it, Fire Marshall David Nugent said.
The fire came within 10 feet of the building's main electrical panel, and "the electricity is going to need substantial work to get back," Sansom said.
Nugent said the cause of the fire was under investigation. Workers had just put another coating of sealer on the gym floor, and tools were in the storage room, he said.
The YMCA has fire insurance and has started working with a restoration company to reopen, Sansom said. Other than the gym, officials hope the building is cleanable without significant damage.
The facility is a key gathering spot for the community, and it's important that it come back on line, said Yvonne Nowakowski, membership director.
"This is another small bump in the road, but we'll definitely come back," she said.

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