By Dan King
New York State Canal Corporation recently stopped by the new location for Friends of the Washington County IBA, on Skenesborough Drive and explained that it is still in the process of making some of the needed upgrades and repairs to the facility.
Canal Corp representatives spoke with Town Supervisor George Armstrong and President of Friends of the IBA Laurie LaFond, regarding the lady’s shower and the slight bulging of the east wall on the building.
Armstrong said that Canal Corp also told the pair about a list of code violations that the building currently has, but would not share what the issues are.
“We are by no means the bad guys in this, at all.” Armstrong said, “We have done a lot to get this building ready.”
Furthermore, Canal Corp said that it would have to put the repairs on the lady’s shower out to bid in order to get it fixed.
“They know they have to do it, it’s just a question of actually getting it done.” Armstrong added.
Armstrong and many town board members were rather frustrated that Canal Corp didn’t share the list of code violations and that it took so long to get the shower put out to bid.
“Putting it out to bid and actually accepting a bid are two completely different things,” Councilman Dave Hollister added.
Next time Canal Corp comes to town, Councilwoman Stephanie Safka and Councilman John Rozell will be meeting with the representatives and hope to obtain the actual list of violations, so the town can get around to shoring up the building.
As for Friends of the IBA, there is currently a volunteer working on a floor plan for the facility and the group is hoping to find some exhibits, as the building gets closer to being ready.