Copper Basin Community Center closed

Center: Efforts underway to repair, find alternative

  • A chain and lock secured these doors at the Copper Basin Community Center so a generator sitting outside could provide temporary power to the building.
    A chain and lock secured these doors at the Copper Basin Community Center so a generator sitting outside could provide temporary power to the building.
  • County Executive Robby Hatcher, back to camera, watches as workmen collect water draining from the community center ceiling.
    County Executive Robby Hatcher, back to camera, watches as workmen collect water draining from the community center ceiling.

    There is no estimate as to when the Copper Basin Community Center will re-open. Meanwhile, County Executive Robby Hatcher said Sunday he is working with contractors and the insurance company while trying to find a temporary location for the services.

    “I’m looking for somewhere for everybody,” Hatcher said.

    Health department officials are scheduled to move a portable, self contained facility onto the site today, Wednesday, August 28. That facility will be located in the lower parking lot in front of the community center and is expected to be open next week, Hatcher said.

    In the meantime, those needing health department services can call the health department in Benton and make arrangements.

    That leaves the senior center, county clerk’s, and trustee’s offices in need of a location. Hatcher said he is looking at several options. All will remain closed in the meantime. Business with the county clerk and trustee can be conducted in Benton.

    The Copper Basin Fire Department is still able to operate out of the basement of the center. Hatcher said much of their equipment had to be cleaned after the flood, but that had been done.

    The center had to be closed last week after it was flooded when a “water hammer” resulted in a broken water line, which in turn flooded much of the building causing extensive damage to walls, floors and ceilings.

    Offices were immediately closed as cleanup efforts began. ServePro, Gentry Industrial and Electric, Collins Plumbing and ETC have all been involved.

    ServePro has handled the cleanup and was still on site this week.

    Gentry Industrial is restoring power to the building and correcting power issues that were determined as a result of the water damage.

    Collins Plumbing began immediately to hunt down the source of the leak, and they found more leaks.

    Hatcher said that as a safety measure to stop a similar problem in the future, the water meter was moved away from the building. A backflow and a pressure reducing valve have been put in place to keep another “water hammer” from reaching the building.

    ETC officials have told Hatcher their equipment has been fixed.

    Hatcher said he is working with the insurance company to get the building open as soon as possible while making sure everything is fixed as it should be. “Let’s just try to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” he said.