High School Roof Structure To Be Replaced

Months after the structure failed due to improperly welded beams, the roof structure of Windsor High School's auditorium will be replaced, Windsor Building and Facilities Manager Whit Przech reported during a Public Building Commission meeting Tuesday night.

Przech added that Travelers Insurance, who made the decision to replace the structure rather than make repairs to the existing structure, will give the town $2.5 million towards the project, including work that has already been completed.

Believed to be the result of snow accumulation at the time of the structure failure in February, Public Building Commission Chair Joe Novak told the Town Council in June the project engineer found that welds within the roof's structure were only partially welded, and fatigue over time, not the sheer weight of snow, resulted in the structure's failure.

In addition, Novak reported, the snow accumulation in February did not exceed the weight the roof was designed to hold.

All chairs in the auditorium will be replaced, and Windsor High School Principal Russell Sills along with another unnamed staff member will provide engineers with information regarding the previous structure's shortcomings, if any, Przech said.

No date for anticipated completion of the project was given.