At its October meeting the Bronxville Board of Education reviewed options for replacing the gym floor. Tropical Storm Irene caused extensive damage: the tongue-and-groove wood surface warped and buckled,
and the wood sub-floor also had to be removed. While insurance covers replacement-in kind (about $145,000), the Board questioned the wisdom of installing exactly the same materials.
School officials worked with our architects, vendors, construction managers and others to weigh the choices. Teachers and coaches were also consulted.
- One obvious answer was to install a synthetic, composite surface, but research led us to conclude this approach had some drawbacks. The most significant problem is that padding required underneath the surface actually absorbs and retains water. The floor cannot be fully dried and indeed could encapsulate mold underneath the surface. Given that underground water remains a factor, this option came off the table.
- Another option was to pour several inches of waterproof concrete as a sub-floor. We called this the "ice rink" approach. The chief problem here is that it added about $120,000 to the replacement cost.
The recommended solution is a wood floor, which is the preferred competitive playing surface. The staff identified several ways to mitigate future damage. (1) Eliminating the volleyball post sleeves in the floor. These post-holes served as a conduit for ground water. (2) Installing a vapor guard under the subfloor as a way to stop or reduce the water that comes from below. (3) Installing a water resistant sub-floor, constructed from plastic, recyclable materials and a "marine-grade" product designed for outdoor wear and tear. None of these options is foolproof, and much depends on the extent of any future flooding. (4) For an additional $50,000 floodgates could be installed at the entrances to the gym. Other options, such as a removable floor, a sump pump, or moving the program off-site have been deemed impractical or too costly.
The Board arrived at a consensus that it was not enough simply to replace in kind, and that further mitigation measures were appropriate. The next step is for the facilities committee to verify the cost/benefit of the various choices and determine the best combination of options. Installation time and warranties are additional factors. If a decision is made by the end of October, there is a possibility that installation is complete by December.
