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Wind damages greenhouse Board members made safety considerations primary concern
Shawn Giilck
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, July 18, 2013
INUVIK
The case for installing a new roof on the Inuvik Community Greenhouse became more compelling last week.
The Inuvik Community Greenhouse suffered some serious damage after it was hit by powerful wind on July 9 and 10. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo
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The converted hockey arena, one of the best-known buildings in town, suffered serious damage to the roof in a windstorm that howled through Inuvik on July 9 and 10.
The damage prompted the closure of the building to the public on July 10 and 11.
Sara Raeburn, the president of the greenhouse board, did not respond to multiple efforts to contact her to discuss the extent of the damage. Kristen Callaghan, the vice-president, said she was unable to speak for the board.
However, Inuvik Drum was able to obtain a copy of two e-mails sent to the community greenhouse members. The situation was also tracked via Facebook posts on the Inuvik Community Greenhouse page.
"On Tuesday, the gusty wind caught a few of the vents in the back half of the greenhouse, just as the Open Mic/Mumford and Friends Jam was starting (excellent turnout and great music, it was so sad to interrupt)," Raeburn stated in an e-mail. "We called the Town of Inuvik to assess the situation and it was determined that the greenhouse was unsafe for the duration of the high winds. Winds were gusting up to 50 km/h that night and the panels had not broken off as yet. We are sorry for the closure but the thought of anyone getting hurt inside while community gardening did not seem worth the risk of keeping it open.
"The majority of the loose panels are blown off and we do not anticipate there being more to come off."
An earlier e-mail, sent out July 10, stated "A large section of the greenhouse roof was affected by the strong winds yesterday/last night and it is not safe to be in the building, or around it too much. We phoned the town foreman last night and they responded very fast and helped us to block of the area to make it as safe as possible.
"We will be assessing the roof today and trying to get it repaired as soon as possible," Raeburn continued in the e-mail. "In the meantime, we will monitor everyone's plots and water as needed. We hope to have things dealt with by tomorrow at the latest but will be in touch with all with updates soon!"
On Facebook, the organization said the bulk of the damage was to two large panels on the roof, which were already scheduled for replacement.
"The greenhouse is closed due to dangerous roof conditions/high winds," an update on July 9 read. "Please use caution when walking around the building. Board members will be watering."
"We need to rent a lift/get on the roof and fix it," the update read. "Anyone know where to rent a lift? Anyone have one? Ideas about the best way of getting this done? The two biggest panels blew off last night and the vents are closed but we still require help/ideas on securing the last flap."
The Inuvik Fire Department had volunteered its services to try to make repairs, Reaburn said.
Thursday evening, a group of volunteers and assistant fire chief Gord Simms inspected the damage.
After looking at the damaged panels on the highest point of the roof, Simms determined the fire department wouldn't be able to help fix it. There was no way to get the equipment into proper position, he said.
Jerry McKenna, a greenhouse member who was helping out, said the organization would look at bringing in some kind of lift truck to fix the panels. Some had blown completely off, while others are loose.
The group has been working on raising money for a new roof for some time. Work was tentatively scheduled to start this fall, former board member Jordan Lenz said during a fundraiser last month.
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