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07-24-03: Evaluation begins on extensive damage
Celina's Breakaway Recplex reopening date unknown after flood

By LANCE MIHM
The Daily Standard

    Though a timetable has not been set, plans are to reopen the Breakaway Recplex exercise and health club, according to co-owner Melissa Smalley of Celina.
    The building suffered extensive damage during the flooding that followed the heavy rains on Independence Day weekend.
    Smalley, who co-owns the center with Julie Harlamert of Coldwater, said that cleanup in the complex has just started. During the peak of the flooding, there was anywhere from three to six feet of standing water on the lower floors, Smalley said.
    "We are cleaning equipment and storing it," Smalley said. "There are a lot of areas that we couldn't clean because we haven't had electricity."
    Smalley said electricity finally was restored Tuesday. The amount of damages due to the flooding and high water in the building has not been totaled to date, she said. Shinn Brothers Construction has been helping evaluate the damages.
    Smalley said the center has applied for emergency federal assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and inspectors arrived Tuesday to also begin evaluations. The assistance would come in the form of a low interest loan because FEMA does not offer grants to businesses.
    "There is a lot of remodeling and reconstruction that is going to have to be done," Smalley said. "But the plan at this time is to reopen after everything has been done."
    Smalley said the pool has been cleaned and was salvaged. The wooden aerobics floor was ruined, however. Weight machines, office equipment and files and other items have been cleaned. Smalley was not able to pinpoint what else will be usable.
    "We are waiting for everything to dry out and to see how it works," Smalley said.
    The indoor-outdoor turf on the new soccer field will need a few repairs, but will be able to be used again, Smalley believes.
    Several of the classes at the center have been moved to other locations and are still being held, Smalley said. Aquarobics classes are being held at the municipal pool, and aerobics are being held at the empty building owned by Bruns Development at 805 Wayne St. Gymnastics and cheerleading classes are again being held at their former location, the Celina Gymnastics Center.
    "We are just so early in the process that I can't give any timetables," Smalley said. "There is no definite date on reopening."
    Breakaway has 1,500 memberships and a total of 3,500 members. Smalley and Harlamert have owned it for a year and a half. Smalley said that members are not being charged while the center is not open.

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