By TIM ASHLEY
Staff Writer
[email protected] 

During a special meeting Tuesday afternoon in the Wawasee Middle School Natatorium area, the school board for the Wawasee Community School Corp. voted to use approximately $272,000 in emergency funds for roof repairs over the swimming pool in WMS.

While the swimming pool area was undergoing renovation as part of a planned capital projects fund project, rusty metal joists and roof decking were discovered when the suspended ceiling was removed. A structural engineer examined the rusted areas and recommended remedial measures be taken. Without repairs, the area would be deemed unsafe for use.

Bernie Leazier of Barton-Coe-Vilamaa led board members during an inspection of the damage. Leazier noted the most severe damage to joists was on the south end of the pool area where there are exterior walls. Several years of high humidity levels and excessive condensation caused damage. He said measures would need to be taken to improve the air flow and allow it to circulate better above and below the ceiling.

This will change the target date for completion of the overall project considerably. Previously due to be finished by mid-June, it will now be mid to even later in August.

More information on this story can be found in today’s issue of The Mail-Journal.