Family Resource Centre needs temporary home after floors flood

While families of West Hants wait patiently for the Family Resource Center in Windsor to reopen the board of directors remain hesitant to offer programs in their flood damaged space.

A series of heavy rains in early August caused a water valve outside of the Community Center to break and flood most of the basement with several inches of water.

Although the damaged floors have been removed and the problem is apparently fixed board chair Caroline Fry says they aren't prepared to take any chances when it comes to young children. “We really are not comfortable having families use the space right now.”

The resource center had been borrowing one of the undamaged rooms in the community centers basement, but Fry said it just wasn't suitable for robust young toddlers. The one unaffected room across the hall may be available for some programs this fall, but space and time there is at a premium. What they really need, Fry said, is a suitable short-term solution. “We need an angel to come and offer us a temporary home, even just for a few weeks until we can sort this all out.”

In fact, this latest flooding episode may be the catalyst for a permanent move if the organization can find an affordable option. “All we require is a big empty room but thats hard to find around here, especially at a low cost.”

This is the fifth flood the resource center has had to deal with in their 10 year tenure at the community center and the third floor they have had to replace Fry noted. However, Fry has said the Recreation Department is doing everything they can to fix the problem so that it doesn't happen again. “This has been a very good home for us, but maybe the time is right to take that next step” she said. “A basement really isn't ideal for our purposes.”

Fry acknowledged the closure has been difficult for the many families who rely on the centers programs and e-mails are flooding in, asking when they will re-open. “When you are a parent of a young child a center like this is an important outlet,” she said. “Participants are disappointed, they really depend on our programs.”

Recreation Programmer for the Town of Windsor, Jim Lambert, says the town has taken all possible measures to ensure the building is fixed properly and is safe for use. An air-quality test for possible mildew and mold was applied early on and Lambert says they've been given the green light. As well, a concrete specialist has accessed the floor and several flooring agencies have been in to suggest appropriate solutions. “We went full fledge on this,” Lambert said. “We aren't interested in a quick fix.”

He said the building is now safe for use and fall recreations programs will go ahead as usual on the main floor of the center and the one unaffected room in the basement. “In the end it's really up to the Family Resource center if they want to move back in; it's their choice,” Lambert said.

Fry said although they have been reassured there are no air-quality issues an offensive odor still lingers.

In the meantime, no staff have been laid-off and the organization continues to work on fundraising and programing goals for the fall season. 'Healthy Beginnings' has not been affected as that is an outreach program. And to the dozens of families who value the center, Fry adds, “please bear with us, we will get things up and moving soon.”