Summer at Allegan Senior High School has been busy with renovations related to the Allegan Public Schools bond passed by Allegan voters in 2021. The $87.5 million bond has three phases that stretch from school year 2021-22 to Fall 2026 with Phase 1 complete as of Fall 2024. Phase 2 has remained underway since 2022, while Phase 3 began this past Spring.
So far Phase 3 had been on track, hitting the Spring 2025 – Fall 2026 goal for each line-item in the bond. One item includes renovations to the high school’s main gymnasium floor: a brand-new court for students from surrounding districts to play against the Allegan Tigers basketball team. The floor fitted with new pine planks bearing the district’s new Tigers logo was planned to be ready by the time students return to school late this August.
According to the most recent project update provided by the district, as of July 11 the subfloor was complete and new pine planks were prepared to be laid. In fact, by Monday, July 28, new wood planks had been laid out with only feet of flooring left to install. However, on that Monday heavy rainstorms pushed through the Allegan area in the early afternoon, dropping up to a half inch of rain within an hour, according to the Michigan State University Allegan weather station data. With the downpour, the weight of the water accumulating on the high school’s flat roof led to a joist giving way and thousands of gallons of water pouring onto the unfinished floor.
The flood damage was immediate and far outpaced the rapid response of the custodial and maintenance staff. Even after the water was contained and removed with tubs, towels and shop vacuums, moisture setting into the wood caused damage that could not be avoided.
The floor has been considered a total loss by insurance and, fortunately, the repair costs will be covered, but it appears unlikely that the project can be completed by the original deadline.
Even so, regardless of whether the gym floor will be ready for back-to-school, hopefully it can still be ready in time for basketball season.
