Water damage closes main gym at Lakes High

The main gym at Lakes Community High School in Lake Villa has been closed after school officials discovered water damage under the wooden floor boards.

Staff discovered the warped wood about 10 days ago, according to a letter sent home with students Friday by Antioch-Lake Villa Area High School District 117 Superintendent Jay Sabatino.

Building engineers have pulled up some of the boards and found moisture and mold under the wood.

"We noticed significant warping in certain areas of both the main gym and small gym," Sabatino said.

Restoration experts have determined mold spore counts were "slightly elevated" and advised that students and staff be kept out of the gym until more samples can be measured, Sabatino said.

It's not clear where the moisture is coming from at this point. Sabatino said it could be condensation or maybe the water-table underneath the concrete might be leaching through.

"It's too early to tell the cause before the investigation is completed," he said.

At this point, officials say there is no telling how long the gyms might be closed. It's more likely a period of weeks rather than days, Sabatino said.

Physical education classes, basketball, wrestling and volleyball games will need to be relocated, but those details are not worked out yet.

Two identical information meetings are planned for Wednesday at 6 and 7:30 p.m. at the high school, 1600 Eagle Way, Lake Villa. Sabatino said they will offer two sessions to make sure parents have answers to their questions.