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Student athletes at North Vancouver’s Ecole Argyle Secondary are now being allowed to use a portion of the gym that flooded at the end of last year.
That’s the good news that came Wednesday after flooding closed the school’s massive gymnasium when snow and rainstorms caused significant damage over the winter break.
So, far, the water damage appears to be limited to a portion of the floor affecting the centre gym, which is one of the three partitioned gym spaces, according to the school district.
A restoration company is currently assisting with drying the flooring, and the school’s insurance adjuster is currently assessing the extent of the damage with flooring subcontractors. So far there’s no estimate of how much it’ll cost to fix.
Principal Kim Jonat sent a note to parents on Dec. 30, warning “the Argyle gyms and equipment rooms have been significantly impacted by flooding that happened this week.”
On Jan. 4, however, students got the news they’ll be able to use the north third of the large gymnasium, which was spared the flooding damage.
According to the school district, the flood happened after a large volume of water – the product of heavy snow followed by thaw and heavy rain – crested the bank of a temporary drainage swale on the southeast side of Argyle’s school field area. The water then eroded a gravel pathway and dirt from an adjacent slope, blocking exterior drains. Water then flowed under the gym’s fire exit doors, according to Lisa Dalla Vecchia, spokesperson for the school district.
Much of the Lower Mainland had been on a flood watch advisory over the Christmas period after snowstorms and ice that hit the North Shore Dec. 20-23 were followed by a rapid increase in temperature and significant rainfall on Dec. 24 and 25.
The building perimeter is checked daily by custodians, but not on statutory holidays, Dalla Vecchia said.
Water was discovered upon opening the gymnasium on the morning of Dec. 28.
For now, administrators are busy trying to find space in other nearby gyms for physical education classes and extracurricular athletics programs, until the school gets a better idea of what repairs to its gym will involve.
Argyle is currently using its fitness centre and activity room for some classes while others are going on hikes or using the Lynn Valley Elementary multipurpose field and elementary school gym when it’s not being used by elementary students, said Dalla Vecchia.
For now, the school’s basketball academy has moved to Mountainside Secondary. Space at Sutherland Secondary is also being made available.
