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Tag: Fort Wayne

  • Squirrel Causes $300K in Damages in Indy

    A defiant squirrel managed to cause roughly $300K in damages to a new Fort Wayne, Indiana community center that is scheduled to open in June.

    The small rodent infiltrated the electrical system of the newly renovated athletics complex at McMillen Park on April 1st, causing a power surge that destroyed three new HVAC systems, and damaged parts of the boiler system. The squirrel did not survive.

    Squirrels belong to the family Sciuridae of small or medium-size rodents. The family includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots (including woodchucks), flying squirrels and prairie dogs.

    Here Jeff Lebowski has an encounter with an unruly marmot:

    The squirrels native to Indiana include the fox squirrel, the American gray squirrel, the red squirrel, the Franklin’s ground squirrel, the southern fly squirrel and the thirteen-lined ground squirrel. No word on which type of squirrel caused the power surge. Squirrels instinctively seek warm, dry places to stay, and the McMillen Park electrical array likely appeared to be a good spot to post up for the rodent at the time.

    According to Parks Director Al Moll, the damage will be covered by insurance, minus the department’s $50,000 deductible. Parks Department spokesman Steve McDaniel stated that the company that built the HVAC systems is rushing to replace it so the center can open on June 7 .

    The structure under renovation was originally McMillen Ice Arena, which closed in 2009. The $1.9 million project is converting the arena into a community center hosting basketball, an indoor track and other activities. Large rooms that once held ice rinks will now house basketball courts and indoor soccer fields. The entire project is estimated to cost roughly $4.5 million.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Squirrel Causes $300K Damage To New Community Center

    Squirrel Causes $300K Damage To New Community Center

    A squirrel caused $300k in damages to the new McMillen Community Center facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana. On April 1st, the squirrel found its way into the newly renovated Center’s electrical system, frying the three new HVAC systems, some parts of the boiler system, as well as the squirrel.

    Fortunately, Parks Director Al Moll said that the massive damage will be covered by insurance, however, they will have to come up with the $50,000 deductible. Ouch.

    The new Center was set to open June 1st and another Parks employee, Steve McDaniel, said that the HVAC people were scrambling to get the systems up in time. Hopefully they can make it in time, as the opening of the new facility is looked forward to by those looking for a great way to beat the summer heat that is expected.

    The large new McMillen Community Center was formerly known as the McMillen Ice Arena. The arena closed in 2009, and after $4.5 million dollars in renovations, will be reborn as a huge space housing many multipurpose spaces for fun stuff. For example, there will be spaces with turf for indoor soccer or football. There will also be basketball courts and and an indoor track.

    There will also be spaces for private events where alcohol will be permitted, but only with private events. There must be a bartender and hired security.

    Wow, every town should have something like this! Time will tell if the Center will be able to open on time, but if it can, the kids of Fort Wayne are sure to have a great summer.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Squirrel $300K Damage Caused in New Community Center

    A squirrel caused about $300,000 in damage to the new McMillen Community Center in Fort Wayne, In., set to open in June, according to officials on Friday.

    Parks Department officials told board members Thursday that the squirrel got into the electrical equipment of the building in McMillen Park on April 1, causing a power surge that damaged the heating and air conditioning systems and some parts of the boiler system.

    The squirrel did not survive.

    Parks director Al Moll said the repairs will be covered by insurance, minus the department’s $50,000 deductible.

    Crews are working to make repairs so the center can open as planned on June 7, and the company that installed the HVAC systems is rushing to replace them, according to the department’s Steve McDaniel.

    The McMillen Ice Arena closed in 2009. A $1.9 million project is transforming it into a community center that will host basketball and volleyball courts, an indoor track, an indoor soccer field, and other activities. It will also have multipurpose meeting rooms.

    The entire project is estimated to cost about $4.5 million.

    In September 2013, Mayor Tom Henry, upon announcing the contractors chosen to renovate the space, said of the new project:

    “I continue to be encouraged by the positive momentum in our City,” said Mayor Henry.

    “The McMillen Community Center is going to be a tremendous investment. City Councilman Glynn Hines and citizens in southeast Fort Wayne have been champions on this effort. We look forward to the entire community being able to use and enjoy this unique and needed destination place,” the mayor said.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons