By MICHELLE BOUDIN / NewsChannel 36
E-mail Michelle: MBoudin@WCNC.com
April 28th, 2009
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Mold at a county recreation center means an expensive fix before kids can play again. The 521 Recreation Center is closed until it can be cleaned.
The Ballantyne-area facility was built in 1972.
"We had some water coming in," said Chris Hunter, facility manager.
The county just finished putting a new roof on the place where 75 kids play each day.
"I don't know if you can smell that smell as you walk through the hallway?" Hunter said. "I asked the question: Do we need to do an air quality study just to be sure that staff and patrons are safe when they're in this facility?"
The study showed mold. So even though no one has been sick or complained, the center is closed until it can be fixed.
The company in charge of getting rid of the problem says there is minimal damage and the mold is very common. It's the type you find outdoors.
"Roof leaks, plumbing leaks, moisture that's not addressed quickly enough, sometimes hidden water damage," said John Foggo of First Restoration Services.
Foggo says it's a minor situation. But it's one with a very big price tag to fix -- $30,000 to $50,000.
Money built into this year's Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation budget will cover the cost.
It's going to take about four weeks to get everything cleaned up in the building. Until then, about eight to 10 activities are being moved and the afterschool programs will also go elsewhere.
The recreation center is at 11401 Ardrey Kell Road in a structure that was formerly part of the Elon Home for Children.
The county is now providing recorded updates at 704-540-2426 about programs scheduled at 521 Recreation Center.
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