The gym floor at the Johnson Fitness Center will be replaced after water damage over the summer rendered it unrepairable, according to a contractor, architectural firm and, crucially, Northwest College’s insurance carrier. 

Architectural firm Arete Design Group of Sheridan estimated the cost for a new floor at roughly $230,000, which will be paid for by the insurance carrier aside from a $25,000 deductible the college will need to put in, along with any cost overages. 

At the November meeting trustees unanimously approved the project to replace the gym floor, which has been closed since late summer when the floor began to buckle. 

According to a memo provided by Vice President of Business Services Burt Reynolds, while the exact cause of the damage has not been definitively confirmed, it is believed to be related to water infiltration associated with recent parking lot and sewer projects combined with heavy rainfall during that period. 

“Unfortunately, just with the age and the water, everyone is in agreement that it’s not something we can fix without replacement,” President Lisa Watson said. 

Facilities Director Dennis Quillen said last week that while the buckling isn’t too pronounced, it presents a tripping hazard to people running on it.

It’s the second gym floor ever to be in the fitness center, having been installed in 1965 and featuring the parquet design of the time — Watson said it was nostalgic. 

That age also means there could be issues under the floor as well, whether from the recent water damage or from earlier issues. 

“Once they take up the floor, we’ll have to see if there’s any surprises we have to deal with in the concrete below,” she said, adding that while testing has been done to ensure there’s no asbestos or mercury issues, there are questions as to the condition of the concrete and the foundation. 

Issues at that level would not be covered by the insurance and would thus need to be paid for by the college, potentially out of major maintenance funds or, if not, plant funds. 

Per policy, the college can spend under $50,000 without having to go to the trustees for approval.