Rainfall damages Concord performing arts wing

Truth, The (Elkhart County, IN)

Jul. 23--ELKHART -- Heavy rainfall Sunday afternoon and evening resulted in flooding throughout the Beickman Performing Arts Center, as well as several classrooms and office spaces in the performing arts wing, officials said Monday.

The flooding was discovered shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday, according to a news release from the district. Concord administrators arrived at the high school a short time later and contacted custodial/maintenance staff to begin moving equipment, notified insurance representatives, and enlisted the assistance of water-removal professionals.

"Unfortunately, the Beickman Performing Arts Center auditorium and adjacent classrooms took in several inches of water," Director of Facilities Nate Koets said. "With the help of Concord personnel and the crews from First Response, we were able to salvage equipment from the affected areas."

According to Koets, water flowed into the loading dock on the west side of the Beickman Performing Arts Center before entering the building. Drainage and electricity were restricted in the area as a result of ongoing construction on the south side of the building.

"We'll need to complete the process of drying the area before we can fully determine the extent and type of repairs that might be necessary," Koets said. "We are grateful to crews from First Response who rushed to the school on Sunday night to help us begin the process of removing the water and clearing the area."

Superintendent Tim Tahara noted that it may take several days to determine the amount of damage that was caused.

"While it's disappointing to find our facilities damaged, we are grateful that no one was injured," Tahara said. "Once the initial clean-up work is completed, we'll explore options in terms of restoration. We're grateful to the support of our community and for our resilient staff and students who will, despite this setback, continue to look forward to the start of another great school."