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Better rooms rise out Hoover fire's ashes By DAMIAN MANN It's not often that a fire is a good thing, but at Hoover Elementary School, a fire has actually helped brighten things up. Extensive reconstruction of the gymnasium-cafeteria, stage and special education room will actually improve the look of a building damaged by fire in June. "It'll be better than before," said Principal Phil Meager. "It'll be brighter, sharper and freshly painted." Renovation of the cafeteria and special education room should be completed when students return Sept. 4. But the gym and stage area could take until October, stalling the opening of after-school programs and a YMCA volleyball class. "The gym is requiring a bit more time," said Meager. Wooden trusses that support the gym roof are badly cracked from old age and need to be replaced. This damage resulted from age, not the fire, which was started by an electrical malfunction above the special education classroom. "Insurance will not cover this part of the damage," said Medford schools business director Galen Anderson. Three different proposals have been suggested, including replacement with steel I-beams, he said. Later this week, engineers and school officials will decide the best way to handle this project, undertaken by Batzer Inc. of Medford. Total cost of the repairs, which will also include replacement of furniture, a scoreboard and other items, hasn't been completely calculated yet. However, earlier estimates pegged the damage at $200,000. The buildings suffered extensive damage from smoke, fire and water during the early-morning blaze. Three summer school programs had to be relocated to Kennedy Elementary School because of the fire. The school plans to hold physical education classes outside, which is normal for this time of the year, said Meager. "Everything should be ready before the rains," he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.