LAWTON – Extensive water damage at the Community Services Center has forced tenants to relocate until repairs can be made while some programs have been suspended.
The Community Services Center and the Child Development Center, which are part of the Armed Services YMCA, were shut down because of the damage created by pipes that burst inside the building, according to ASYMCA Executive Director Sara Orellana-Paape.
The damage was a result of the massive winter weather that hit Oklahoma in February. Sprinkler pipes burst causing widespread damage to the carpet and interior walls. Paape said the CSC and CDC are considered uninhabitable and all tenants were told to remove their possessions by March 1. The main office remains open.
The Armed Services YMCA is seeking a $40,000 donation that would make necessary HVAC repairs. In addition, roofing, interior wall and carpet repairs will be needed for the businesses to resume operations. Entities located in the CSC include two civic groups, a nonprofit organization, two counselors and a for-profit business. However, officials at Cameron University have offered the groups and businesses an opportunity to temporarily relocate inside a building at the campus.
As of Ledger press time, Samantha Lankford, chief of the university’s business incubator program, could not be reached for comment.
Paape, who was hired May 18 as the interim director and two months later as the permanent executive director, said the past several months have been a strain.
“First, we have COVID to deal with and now this,” she said in disbelief. “I never expected this. This is new territory to me so I’m learning, and tornado season isn’t far behind.”
Paape said she’ll seek repair estimates after all water is out of the building and portions of the walls are dried and removed.
“It shouldn’t be done until the tenants are out,” she said.
Krista Ratliff, chief executive officer for the Lawton-Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce, said she will reach out to Paape to determine the level of assistance the Armed Services YMCA needs.
The water damage won’t stop Paape and her staff from operating Hero’s Pantry, which stores food and other necessities in the main office area. The Hero’s Pantry is designed to assist junior enlisted servicemembers. Beginning this month, food distribution will be held twice a month and will be weekly by August.
Currently, needed pantry items include diapers, laundry detergent, personal hygiene products, toilet paper and paper towels. All nonperishable food items are also welcome.
In addition, the CSC will accept washer-dryer sets which are refurbished. Junior enlisted service members can purchase the sets for $70. Donations are needed for Altus Air Force Base and Fort Sill.
Armed Services YMCA, which serves Fort Sill and Altus Air Force Base, is located at 860 NW Cache Road in Lawton. For more information, call (580) 355-3520