As the home to many Park District programs, including dance, preschool and gymnastics, it’s important that Wagner Community Center is maintained to ensure a safe recreation space for the community. An upcoming roof restoration project will contribute to keeping the building properly maintained. At the March 12, 2018 Park Board meeting, the Board approved restoring the existing roof system over the registration and staff offices, classrooms and Multipurpose Room A at the Wagner Community Center. It also involves repairs and adding a liquid, waterproof membrane coating to the existing roof over the Gymnastics Center.
Compared to a complete roof replacement, roof restoration minimizes labor, removal and disposal costs while reducing the amount of waste materials destined for landfills. Restoration is also typically less intrusive to building occupants. A thermal scan performed in 2015 of the building’s roof revealed no significant areas of deterioration or moisture penetration, making it a good candidate for roof restoration.
The work will entail removal of the existing gravel from the roof and any areas of saturated roof or insulation. The roof surface will be primed, a polymer CTP (coal tar pitch) flood coat applied and new gravel installed. New perimeter and curb flashings will also be installed.
The project was approved at the amount of $203,719, with additional projects of EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer) restoration of the gymnastics center roof and replacement of 3 existing skylights so they meet OSHA standards approved at the amounts of $60,207 and $6,384, respectively.
The roof over the gymnastics center will be coated with a versatile liquid-waterproofing coating that will extend the life of the roof, by reducing heat transfer into the building, decreasing thermal shock (thermal expansion and contraction of the roof membrane), and helping to mitigate leaks. Reflective coatings also provide added UV protection and extra waterproofing protection. Work on the project is scheduled for August 6 through August 24, 2018. Wagner Community Center will remain open throughout the restoration project.