Ruth Gilfry remains closed after ‘two or three inches of water’ damages building

By Brandi Makuski

The Portage County Health and Human Services Ruth Gilfry Center remains closed for repairs after a water main in the building ruptured on the afternoon of June 19.

 

 

 

The county’s HHS facility, which is nearly 50 years old, recently had new carpeting installed on the lower level. Portage Co. Chairman Al Haga on Tuesday said when the pipe burst, it flooded the lower level with “two or three inches” of water.

“We had a [water] main bust downstairs, and there are a couple inches of water, and some sand,” he said.

Haga also expressed frustration that he found about about the problem when someone told him they saw it on social media.

County Executive John Pavelski said county leaders and staff at the Center have been working with contractors and the county’s insurance provider to assess the damage.

During testing on Wednesday, contractors determined that the building is not safe for staff or the public to enter because of damage to the building.

“Because the Gilfry building is not safe to access, a no-entry rule will be strictly enforced,” a press release from Pavelski reads in part.

Pavelski said he’s been meeting with contractors and county staff on a daily basis to review the situation and help with the continuation of services for county HHS.

Pavelski had high praise for the staff at HHS, saying, “They have maintained a high level of service even though not working in their normal Ruth Gilfry offices.”

Pavelski said it wasn’t immediately clear what caused the pipe to burst.

“We have not excavated that area because of potential repair purposes of the overall project,” he said. “We are establishing a temporary water service to the building and determining availability of repair supplies for best plan of action.”

Sheriff Mike Lukas said the county was utilizing the training room at the Law Enforcement Center, 1500 Strongs Ave., to hold regular meetings related to the closure, likening it to a quasi-emergency operations center.

The building remains closed until further notice, but clients can still receive various services by contacting their respective case workers.

Scheduled meetings within the facility, and the Center’s immunization clinic, will be rescheduled, Pavelski said.

Anyone needing to contact the Center should call the main phone number at 715-345-5350, or fax 715-345-5966. The TTY number is 715-344-2140.

The Center can also be reached via email at [email protected].