Restroom ceiling collapse closes Lynchburg neighborhood center

By: Alicia Petska | Lynchburg News and Advance
Published: October 14, 2009

The Fairview Heights Neighborhood Center, at 3621 Campbell Ave., will be closed for a minimum of two weeks following a partial ceiling collapse.

The ceiling of one of the center's restrooms fell down unexpectedly on Monday, according to the Parks & Recreation Department. The room was empty at the time; no one was injured.

The cause of the cave-in was not immediately apparent. City officials are assessing the damage now and expect that repairs will take at least two weeks to complete. The neighborhood center, which runs a variety of programs for children and seniors, will remain closed until then.

Alternate arrangements are being offered to those who take part in the center's programs. Participants in youth programs can chose to attend activities in other city-run community centers in the areas of College Hill, Daniel's Hill, Diamond Hill, Miller Park and Jefferson Park.

Activities offered under the Fifty Plus program will be moved to the Jefferson Park Center, 405 York St. The city intends to relocate all Fifty Plus programs with the exception of ceramics. The ceramics equipment is difficult to move, officials said, and so that class will be temporarily canceled. It may be re-opened at a new location if the Fairview Heights closure extends beyond current expectations.

The upcoming Fifty Plus trip to Morris Apple Orchard will continue as planned, although it will now depart from the Jefferson Park Center.

For more information about these arrangements, please contact Parks & Recreation at 455-5858.