RASD gym floor deemed unsafe for play following HVAC failure
RIDGWAY- Ridgway Area School District Superintendent Heather- McMahon Vargas issued a statement on Monday afternoon addressing a failure that occurred with the HVAC system installed above the gym floor late Friday evening.
McMahon-Vargas provided no additional comments to the statement issued.
"During the late evening of Friday, February 3, the newly installed rooftop HVAC unit above the Ridgway Middle-High School gymnasium failed. This failure caused a substantial flood and significant damage in the gymnasium. The Ridgway Area School District (RASD) is extremely grateful for the presence and responsiveness of our middlehigh custodial team of Brenda Dietrick, Vivian Colson and Destiny Peters. Their quick action served to mitigate more severe damage. RASD is also extremely grateful to Tom Hibbert, RASD Interim Buildings and Grounds Supervisor and Mark Caruso, RMHS maintenance worker for their quick responses.
McClure sent a restoration team into the gym on Saturday. After an evaluation of the gym floor conditions this morning, it was determined that the damage to the gym floor made it unsafe for our athletes and visitors to play. The St. Mary’s Area School District has provided the Elkers with a home court to continue practicing and playing for the remainder of their basketball schedules and to prepare for playoffs. Coach Schreiber and Coach Herzing have been incredibly flexible, cooperative, and patient with these unfortunate circumstances and we appreciate their support. Shawn Hofmann, RASD Athletic Director is working diligently to reschedule and notify players and opponents of the changes in venue. In addition, RASD would also like to thank the Elker Boys’ Basketball Boosters for their assistance on Friday night.
Representatives from McClure provided phone support on Friday evening during the emergency. McClure site superintendent reported to the middle-high school on Saturday morning and worked directly with Tom Hibbert to assess and mediate the situation. McClure sent a restoration team into the gym on Saturday. Today, RASD Administration met with McClure representatives to review the causation of the failure. McClure has developed a response plan to remedy the failure and replace all damaged property that resulted.
The district apologizes to our varsity basketball teams, jh basketball teams, jh volleyball teams, coaches and parents for these unfortunate circumstances and the inconvenience that this has caused. We appreciate everyone’s continued support of our student athletes as they make a temporary home court at SMASD. A revised schedule will be released through the RASD Athletic Director for this week, as soon as it is finalized. Further questions, comments or concerns should be directed to the RASD superintendent at mcmahonheather@rasd.us.”