Monday, July 27, 1998
Courtside’s roof leakage prompts temporary repairs
REPAIRS: Residential structure faces future closure to rectify
water intrusion permanently
By Lawrence Ferchaw
Daily Bruin Staff
Less than six years after completion, one of UCLA’s residence
halls underwent repairs recently to stop an intruder.
The perpetrator was water, something that fell from the sky in
abundance this past winter. The victim was Courtside, one of the
three buildings that make up the Sunset Village residential
complex.
The building experienced varying degrees of "water intrusion"
when it rained. The problem was temporarily fixed, but permanent
repairs are still in the planning stages.
Plans may include closing Courtside once DeNeve Plaza opens so
permanent repairs can be completed. Housing officials have not yet
determined if they will use this strategy.
One student, who experienced the leakage, said that the water
problems were not severe.
"It wasn’t a big leak or anything," said Angela Chen, a
second-year economics student. Water entered her room through the
windows and ruined some papers that were nearby, she said.
However, the extent of the leaks differed from unit to unit and
from room to room, according to Michael Foraker, director of
housing administration.
"It varied from no impact to varying impacts. The water
intrusion was not consistent," Foraker said.
Christopher Lee, a second-year biology student, did not
experience any water intrusion, but he saw repairs.
"I didn’t hear any complaints," Lee said.
During the temporary repairs, some residents were forced to move
to the UCLA Guest House for a short time.
Along with the repairs comes legal action involving housing and
construction companies to resolve the situation.
"We’re working in good faith with several principles," Foraker
said.
Foraker and other administrators declined to talk in detail
about the matter, citing the pending litigation.
A side effect of the leaks, which students experienced, was the
odor left behind.
"It smelled like mildew a lot, especially when we turned on the
air conditioning," said Rachel Chang, a fourth-year communication
studies student. Chang lived in one of the units not directly
affected by the intruding water.
Courtside and the rest of Sunset Village were completed in 1992.
The price tag for the seven structures that make up the village was
over $87 million.
BAHMAN FARAHDEL/Daily Bruin
Courtside dormitory in Sunset Village is undergoing repairs to
fix a leaky roof.