Rain water floods Memorial Building
SALEM–
Parks Director Steve Faber said an employee who arrived before he did said the water “poured in like a waterfall” inside the gym, where ceiling tiles had fallen and water covered the floor.
“The water came in through the gym and then it just moved out all over the place,” Faber said.
He explained that an internal drain detached from the roof, causing the flooding problem. Most of the damage was in the gymnasium and the back half and west side of the building, on the first floor and ground floor, including an office on the first floor and meeting rooms on the ground floor on the west side of the building, which was built in 1924.
No equipment was damaged, although there may be some smaller items damaged, including a framed photograph and a framed drawing of Salem industrialist W. H. Mullins, who donated $100,000 plus the land for construction of the Salem World War Memorial Building at 785 E. State St. Most of the damge was to the carpeting and ceiling tile. The damage is being reviewed by the insurer for the building.
The building is overseen by the Salem World War Memorial Building Association and houses the offices of the Salem Parks & Recreation Department besides being a place where organizations can hold meetings and events or rooms can be rented for any number of activites or parties. The city parks commission normally meets in a room on the west side of the ground floor, but the meeting was moved to the other side of the building due to the damage.
Salem Senior Citizens also had to be moved out of the gym, where the group normally meets, to a meeting room.
A & M Total Restoration of Youngstown temporarily patched the roof to prevent further damage and Steam Action of Youngstown was working on the water removal and drying out of the affected areas, using dozens of air movers. Faber said the company was also treating the affected areas with a spray to prevent mold and mildew.
No programs planned for the building will need to be cancelled. The Banquet In Salem is hosting a free meal on the third floor tonight. Faber noted that the banquet room and the kitchen were not affected by the flooding.
The Banquet In Salem, which normally is served on Monday nights and the fourth Thursday of the month, will serve a meal on Memorial Day, this Monday, from 5 to 7 p.m. The sponsor will be Friends of the Banquet and the menu will include penne pasta & meatballs, green beans, tossed salad, fresh veggies, fresh fruit and ice cream sundaes.