The Kaskaskia College Salem Education Center has reopened this week for fall classes and other community activities.
The center closed in the Spring due to damage caused by a flash flood fueled by extremely heavy rain.
While the water moved out quickly, College President George Evans says it left behind damage to the flooring, walls, drywall, and furniture.
“I believe it was roughly $290,000 in damages,” Evans said. “The college had a $100,000 deductible insurance policy, so obviously, out of pocket, our costs ended at $100,000. We did expedite the progress of the facility, and it is up and running. We’re just waiting on a few pieces of furniture to get everything back.”
Evans says the college is working with the city to try and avoid any future flooding issues. The spring flooding was the second time the Education Center had to be closed due to flooding. But Evans says the first flooding several years ago is believed to have occurred due to a stopped-up sewer pipe.
Kaskaskia College had to move Salem Education Center students online or transfer them to the main campus to finish their coursework in the spring.
Meanwhile, the Nashville Education Center remains closed as repairs are made following another flooding incident.
