Leaking roof jeopardizes west side community center

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Some 200 kids could have to find a new place to go before and after school because of a leaky roof at the Hawthorne Community Center.

Today’s rain and this weekend’s snow was too much for the roof.

Now the sounds of children are being drowned out by sounds of water. Room after room is now dealing with leaks.

“It’s not just in the gym, every room in this part of the building has issues with leaks,” said Diane Arnold, the director of the center. “Six months ago it was one or two leaks, now we’re up to this.”

The majority of the damage is from a past hail storm. They have financing and plans to rebuild the 36 year old building. But even with insurance money they’re concerned they won’t be able to come up with the $200,000 needed for a new roof.

“All the programs we do are vital to helping people in this community,” said Arnold.

There’s more than just a gym. They offer before and after school care, a basketball league and hot meals everyday to 200 kids.

I think its a great barrier to us trying to be able to take care of the people that we take care of in the community.

They say the kids aren’t in danger, and that they’re spending their time in unaffected rooms.

They did have plans to put on a new roof, but they were hoping to wait for the summer. But they’re now saying the work will begin as soon as the funding is in place.