Summer rain wreaking havoc on campus
Flood hits Frank Kennedy and University Centre the hardest
Jeanne Fronda, Staff
Photo by David Lipnowski.
July floodings of buildings at the University of Manitoba’s Fort Garry campus have caused approximately half a million dollars worth of damage.
Rudy Mejía, the assistant director of U of M’s physical plant, described the flooding as “very unusual for this time of the year.”
“I don’t think anyone who has worked at the university has ever seen [flooding like this],” he said. “I’ve worked [at the U of M] for 26 years, and I don’t ever remember seeing something like this.” He said the combination of high Red River water levels and the summer’s thundershowers caused the flooding. Flooding during the summer months is not considered normal because heavy rainfall usually happens during the spring, not the summer.
Some spring flooding at the university is expected due to runoff water from the melting snow. This water is usually pumped back into the river every year, but because the river’s water level was so high during July, and because of the numerous July thundershowers, the pumps simply could not remove the water fast enough.
Buildings located on lower land than other campus buildings, such as the Frank Kennedy Centre and University Centre, experienced the most damage from floods that occurred during the July long weekend and on July 8.
University Centre’s basement was flooded with three feet of water, causing such severe damage to a freight elevator parked in the basement that it will have to be replaced.
The BookStore was hit with some flooding, but most of the water drenched the carpeting of the computer office and computer technical areas, which are located in the back of the store and off of the selling floor. The office carpets had to be removed because they were covered with dirt and were giving off a muddy, swamplike odour.
“It smelled really bad back there. No one could go there for a few days. It’s all cement floors now,” said BookStore manager Leta Beyak.
The Frank Kennedy Centre also experienced significant damage after heavy rainfall in early July, forcing a second closure of the Gritty Grotto, the Centre’s basement workout facility. Prior to the July floodings, the Grotto was closed for approximately two months after a May 7 basement flood.
Normally, a dyke protects the entire Fort Garry campus, which is located on low ground. But when the river levels are high, the storm water cannot be drained into the river fast enough, so flooding occurs.
Sandbags have been placed over several of the drain gutters that run along the streets of the campus. Mejía says the sandbags are a preventative measure, allowing the pumps to run long enough to drain the system before it can get refilled with rainwater. Sandbags also prevent pressure buildup on the pipes, which can burst when too much water remains in them.
Despite the magnitude of the damage, Mejía remains optimistic about restoring the campus buildings.
“We’re hoping everything is going to be ready when students come back to work,” he said.
Restoration to all the damaged areas on campus is expected to take two months.
