Caution tape continues to block off a sizeable part of the Ryerson Library Building’s seventh floor as a result of heavy rainfall over the summer.
Ceiling tiles are missing, study booths are covered in plastic and garbage pails have been placed to catch any dripping water. Approximately 100 study booths and two study rooms are closed due to repairs in the area along with a women’s and barrier-free washroom. A gender-neutral washroom is available for use while the women’s washroom is out of order.
The damages were caused by two separate events. A part of the heating and air conditioning system started leaking on Aug. 18. The next day, heavy rains caused flooding in the same area.
According to Ryerson’s office of Campus Facilities and Sustainability, the department discovered clogged roof drains after cleaning up the water and investigating the issue. The drains were cleared, but upon further inspection it was discovered that the roof membrane also needed to be fixed.
Mandissa Arlain, communications librarian, said that the damages are causing an inconvenience to students. “It has reduced their ability to retrieve items and browse the collection, and also reduced their access to the study spaces that have been cordoned off.”
The library staff will continue to retrieve books upon request from blocked off areas.
With roof restorations currently in progress, repairs to the carpet tiles, ceiling tiles and washrooms will begin once roof maintenance is complete. The costs of all repairs are expected to total between $45,000 and $55,000.
The library is not the only building that experienced flooding this summer. The basement of the Victoria Building, which houses the Student Learning Support Test Centre and the paint shop, flooded in late July. According to Campus Facilities and Sustainability, the flood “was caused by syringes flushed down the toilets in that building, likely from the washroom on that floor.”
Repairs to the basement are almost complete. However, Facilities and Sustainability will not know the full cost of the project until the carpet installation is finished at the end of this week.
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