Glen Ellyn parks take action on leaky roofs

Since the $11.2 million Ackerman Sports & Fitness Center opened in Glen Ellyn in January 2010, buckets and tarps have been scattered about the 88,000-square-foot facility to sop up water that has leaked through the building’s roof.

Glen Ellyn park board members have met behind closed doors for the past 18 months to discuss the roof leaks, which are primarily located in the four corners of the building above the gymnasium.

This week, the board took action, voting to terminate agreements with the three companies hired to do work at Ackerman, citing a breach of contracts.

The district’s final payments to T.A. Bowman Constructors and Professional Building Services, the construction manager, were delayed when park officials began to have concerns with the roof, according to board President Melissa Creech. The other company involved in the project is Ollmann Ernest Architects.

The contract with T.A. Bowman for construction of the facility was $1.5 million.

Superintendent of Parks Dave Scarmardo said contract balances were held on “a good faith basis.”

Creech said there could be legal action among the park district and the companies, who were all a part of the project and issues related to the roof. One of the reasons board members have met in closed session is because of the potential for litigation.

Paul Ollmann of Ollmann Ernest Architects said he was informed Thursday morning about the contract termination but wasn’t aware the board had intended to pursue such action. He declined further comment.

Officials from the other companies couldn’t be reached.

Meanwhile, the park board awarded a contract to Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. to prepare supplemental design and bid documents for roof repairs. The company has already submitted a report about the roof problems to the park board, Creech said.

Scarmardo said bids for roof repair work could go out in the next six weeks, and Creech said officials are looking to have the roof fixed before winter.