CORE roof repairs underway

NEWS-SUN

Extensive roofing repairs are nearing completion at the CORE, about 16 months after the $63.5 million landmark facility opened to great fanfare last summer.

According to documents obtained by the News-Sun after a public records request, two roofs at the CORE needed to be replaced and five other roofs in the multi-purpose facility were in need of repair. The roof damages were a result of heavy windstorms this spring, which resulted in the closure of the CORE on two days.

The contractor who built the CORE told the News-Sun Tuesday that all repairs are nearly complete, and all repair costs would be covered by warranties, at no cost to the city.

City leaders discussed in closed session the possibility of litigation related to the needed repairs, although they have said little publicly about recurring roof leaks at the recreational facility.

On April 10, the city closed the CORE for the second time in less than a month when wind gusts up to 75 mph winds battered the facility, damaging a portion of the roof. City leaders said loose materials posed hazards for patrons and they closed the facility as a precaution.

Shelia Baker, the city’s general services director, said city officials initially became aware of the CORE’s damages following a March 13 windstorm. The city also closed the facility on March 13. Mayor Sam Cobb said then the plan was to close the facility to protect the public during strong windstorms until the roof was repaired.

A Sept. 27 news release from the city warned CORE patrons of workers at the CORE, but said the facility’s operational hours would not be affected by the “inspections.”

“The City of Hobbs wishes to make all citizens aware that within the next several weeks, they may notice construction contractors or subcontractors at different areas of the CORE as they inspect areas covered by warranty,” states the news release. “These workers may be utilizing equipment although no construction work will be done during these inspections.”

Roofing materials were stacked Tuesday afternoon in the rear of the CORE and a large crane has been operating in recent days at the recreational facility at Lovington Highway and Millen Drive that added a new landmark to the city’s skyline, and a proud amenity for the city.

The 158,000-square-foot CORE houses an Olympic-size swimming pool, an indoor therapy pool, an indoor soccer field, two indoor water slides, an elevated running track, basketball and volleyball courts, exercise and meeting spaces, and a custom-built, three-story play structure. It has drawn critical acclaim from state officials and city leaders elsewhere, while garnering awards for its design, including an award last year from the World Waterpark Association.

Haydon Building Corp. of Phoenix, which began construction on the CORE in September 2016, has agreed to perform the repairs without cost, according to documents obtained by the newspaper.

A July 16 letter from Baker to Haydon Building Corp. referenced a June 3 report from Jim D. Koontz & Associates, a Hobbs-based consulting engineer.

“In light of the report referenced herein, the City of Hobbs has concerns that the manner in which all sections of the roof in question were installed did not meet the manufacturer’s specifications,” Baker wrote. “Namely, the samples taken show the roof adhesion and fastener placement did not follow specifications. As such, please provide us with reasonable assurances that the entire roof has been installed according to manufacturer’s specifications so as to prove the City of Hobbs has received the benefit of its bargain.”

The CORE, which officially opened June 2, 2018, was funded through a partnership between the City of Hobbs ($25 million), New Mexico Junior College ($10 million in bonds/capital contributions), the JF Maddox Foundation ($27.5 million), and Hobbs Municipal Schools ($1 million). Annual operational contributions include $300,000 from NMJC and $100,000 from Hobbs schools, which uses the CORE’s pool for its Eagles swim teams.

Baker, in her July 16 letter to project director Matt Greer of Haydon Building Corp., said city leaders met with “the fiduciary parties” regarding the CORE’s roof investigation and analysis. Baker said the 227-page roof inspection report from Jim D. Koontz & Associates was the primary document considered.

“All parties are in agreement that time is of the essence to repair the damaged roof sections,” Baker wrote. “We trust you and your team will continue to work diligently to resolve the issues in a manner that will be agreed upon and ultimately accepted by the City.”

Baker said the fiduciary parties wanted the replacement of roofs C and L, and for roofs A, E, G, H, I to be repaired also, as well as repairs to other roofs deemed necessary.

Baker also asked for revisions to construction warranties from two subcontractors, Carlisle Construction Materials of Carlisle, Pa. and J Ferg Pros of Wolfforth, Texas, asking the warranties be extended for no less than 20 years from the date of completion of repairs.

Carlisle Construction Materials provided the materials for the CORE’s roofs, while J Ferg Pros installed the roof as a subcontractor for Haydon Building Corp.

The city also asked Haydon Building Corp. to repairs all interior areas damaged by water leaks from the roof.

“The overall goal is to ensure that the City receives the product and the quality that was specified in the plans, without impacting daily operations of the CORE facility,” Baker wrote. “The City would like to be apprised of all measures taken to mitigate the roof. As such, please copy me on all correspondence with J Ferg Pros and/or Carlisle.”

In a letter to Baker dated Aug. 7, Greer said Haydon Building Corp. wanted to offer a “collective approach to repairing the roof” and “restoring it to a condition in full compliance with the plans, specifications, and warranty requirements of the project.”

Greer’s letter included a scope of work from J Ferg Pros, which has amassed roofing materials behind the CORE.

The scope of work included removing an 8,400-square-foot section of roof A to the metal deck and replacing it with new metal coping and flashings and roof accessories (to be covered by a warranty with Carlisle), and removing a 6,400-square-foot section of Roof C down to the vapor barrier and installing new metal coping, flashings and roof accessories (to be covered by a warranty with J Freg Pros).

J Freg Pros said minor repairs had already been completed on roof sections D and G, which entailed overlaying 6-foot wide membranes on both roofs.

“Our company strives for quality workmanship, competitive prices, and complete customer satisfaction,” Jay Conner, vice president of commercial roofing for J Ferg Pros, wrote in his company’s scope of work.

Greer wrote Baker in August that repair work would take about 30 days, beginning on Sept. 9.

“Currently, the plan is to remedy the areas identified, in the manner identified, and provide final warranties to reflect this work,” Greer wrote. “Finally, as the start date for the repairs looms, Haydon would like to continue the discussion(s) with the City of Hobbs, J Freg Pros, and Carlisle regarding the warranty(s) and assurances referenced in your letter in hopes that we can reach an amicable agreement with all parties prior to commencement of the work.”

Greer told the News-Sun Tuesday that all the repairs requested by the city have been completed, with the exception of Roof C, which Greer said was 80 percent complete. He said that work should be completed by Oct. 20, without any necessary closures to the CORE. Greer said while estimating the repair costs is difficult, the roof’s total initial cost was $1.14 million.

Greer also told the newspaper that disagreements persist between Carlisle Construction Materials and J Ferg Pros regarding whose warranty will cover specific repairs, but he said the bottom line is that his company, Haydon Building Corp., is ultimately responsible for all repairs.

“There will be no fee for any of the repairs,” Greer said. “Any and all repairs that were identified have been taken care of. The only piece that we have left is ... (Roof C).”

Greer credited J Ferg Pros for performing the repair work without cost.

“Anytime the subcontractor has something like that happen, and they stand up and take responsibility and take care of it, I think that’s always encouraging,” Greer said.

Jeff Tucker may reached at managingeditor@ hobbsnews.com.