Windsor High School Auditorium Repairs Continuing

Now a distant memory, the Connecticut experienced this past winter led to the collapse of many roofs, including Windsor High School's . 

School administrators woke up one early February morning to find out that  of the frozen, white stuff.

Months later, the repair process has experienced a major detour. In order to properly investigate the steel beams in need of repair, the asbestos-laden ceiling would have to be completely removed, public building officials determined.

The asbestos abatement project has been going on for months and is heading into it's final two weeks. 

"That's the real hold up," said Frank Williams, the town's director of business services.

After the ceiling is removed, Williams says that the engineering experts will finally be able to "get an unobstructed view and access to the roof, steel beams and trusses."  Only at that point will officials will be able to determine if the roof can be repaired or it has to be completely rebuilt.

In the meantime, no staff or students have been allowed in the space. 

"The whole time they have been [removing the asbestos] there has been continuous air quality monitoring," said Williams. 

Events have been taken across the street to Sage Park Middle School's auditorium. 

The entire project will be covered by Windsor's insurance policy, officials said.

Williams said the town is seeking "request for qualificiations" from local architecture firms who would be interested in the project.  The town staff will review the proposals from these firms and present the best options to the Public Building Commission so that they can make a final choice.

"At this point and time, [the auditorium] won't be ready by September," Williams said.  "Until the engineers made a decision, it's hard to put a time table together." 

"Hopefully it will get on a fast track once they finish the abatement," he added.