CHINA GROVE — The China Grove Community Building upgrades continue after Castor’s Construction’s bid for interior and exterior painting and repairs was approved at the most recent town council meeting. The repairs and painting will cost $24,000.

Parks and Recreation Director Jill Sellers presented the proposed bid contracts to the council, recommending Castor’s for the work. It’s the same company that recently completed some work at the China Grove Police Department.

Multiple things impacted the need to schedule the repairs. The building just had asbestos removed. As Sellers explained, during that process, some damage resulted from when the building had to be sealed and put under negative pressure to remove the asbestos. 

Other damages were simply the result of years of wear and tear, which caused damage and staining of the walls, doors and trim. 

According to a memo to the council, “Improperly taped drywall joints in the ceiling” caused extensive cracks in the ceiling of the ballroom and kitchen.

That memo describe the scope of the work.

• Repair sheetrock cracks in main dining room ceiling 
• Repair sheetrock crack in kitchen ceiling 
• Paint sheetrock ceiling in main dining room and kitchen, ceiling white 
• Repair walls as needed per painters’ discretion 
• Paint all walls in interior of the building 
• Paint all trim in interior of the building 
• Paint wood around the fireplace. The wood around the fireplace is rough sawn cedar, so the wood texture will remain as is.

Sellers explained they planned to amend one thing about the rental space to reduce wear and tear impacts. 

“Something to prevent some of this going forward is that we are moving the chairs into a room right off the ballroom so they won’t be traveling back and forth through a couple of doorways,” Sellers said. 

Additionally, general wear and tear, along with weather exposure has led to extensive peeling and deterioration of the outside of the building. 

“The exterior of the building is showing general wear and tear that has been exacerbated by the weather and the sun that hits that front porch, peeling paint, cracks in ceiling,” Sellers said. 

The scope of that work was also outlined.

• Repair cracks as needed with caulk in the plaster ceiling of front porch 
• Paint front porch ceiling, ceiling white 
• Sand and/or pressure wash wood on exterior of front porch 
• Paint wood trim, windows and doors on front porch

The work is expected to be completed by mid-November. Rentals of the space can reportedly resume on Dec. 5.

Sellers indicated that while the building had been closed, the town went ahead and did some pressure washing, repaired an outdoor light and the garbage disposal, installed new smoke detectors and ordered new chairs.

An insurance adjustor did come out to inspect the property, but Sellers said it was determined that the repairs were not eligible for a claim. 

Council member Arthur Heggins motioned to approve the contracts. Council member Lee Withers seconded the motion. It carried unanimously.