2008 Woodie Awards
Esker reopening delayed, showers open in athletic building
Boiler explosion: Day 3
Royal Purple Staff: Jerica Harvey, Sarah Kloepping
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: News
The reopening of Esker Dining Hall may be delayed, but heat and hot water are expected to return as planned, University Police Chief Matt Kiederlen said.
Esker, which was expected to open Friday, has been deemed a clear area, however, additional testing still needs to be done once the power plant has been completely cleaned-up. A backup boiler in the power plant behind Esker exploded Wednesday.
"We don't want to re-open that building and turn on the air flow, which needs to be done to reopen [Esker] until we know with absolute certainty that we can do so without any danger being present for the public," Kiederlen said.
Interim Chancellor Richard Telfer said getting hot water back is one of the top concerns, but the technical aspects need to be dealt with first, and they are trying to finish them as quickly and efficiently as possible.
"The fundamental issue is we have to begin to repair some things in the power plant, essentially pipes and valves," Telfer said. "Part of what complicates the issue is the asbestos. You can't get to things without putting on special protective suits and having people who are legally authorized to work with this material."
Executive Director of Residence Life Jeff Janz said students living in the residence halls can take hot showers at the Athletic Services Building near Perkins Stadium. The Athletic Services Building is not connected to the campus steam line, and wasn't affected by the explosion.
"We are accommodating as best we can in unusual circumstances," Janz said.
Janz said students are being asked to take quick showers to conserve hot water for others, and everyone is responsible for bringing their own towels and toiletries.
While the exact cause of the blast has yet to be determined, Telfer said they think it was actually a gas explosion that caused the boiler to blow.
Kiederlen said he was thankful the fire department, Emergency Medical Services and city police departments were so quick to help as well as they did.
"I was very appreciative of how quickly the local resources and even just the community as a whole quickly pulled together in what really is a major interruption for services for campus," Kiederlen said. "We received any and all help we requested without hesitation on the part of any and all resources."
Esker, which was expected to open Friday, has been deemed a clear area, however, additional testing still needs to be done once the power plant has been completely cleaned-up. A backup boiler in the power plant behind Esker exploded Wednesday.
"We don't want to re-open that building and turn on the air flow, which needs to be done to reopen [Esker] until we know with absolute certainty that we can do so without any danger being present for the public," Kiederlen said.
Interim Chancellor Richard Telfer said getting hot water back is one of the top concerns, but the technical aspects need to be dealt with first, and they are trying to finish them as quickly and efficiently as possible.
"The fundamental issue is we have to begin to repair some things in the power plant, essentially pipes and valves," Telfer said. "Part of what complicates the issue is the asbestos. You can't get to things without putting on special protective suits and having people who are legally authorized to work with this material."
Executive Director of Residence Life Jeff Janz said students living in the residence halls can take hot showers at the Athletic Services Building near Perkins Stadium. The Athletic Services Building is not connected to the campus steam line, and wasn't affected by the explosion.
"We are accommodating as best we can in unusual circumstances," Janz said.
Janz said students are being asked to take quick showers to conserve hot water for others, and everyone is responsible for bringing their own towels and toiletries.
While the exact cause of the blast has yet to be determined, Telfer said they think it was actually a gas explosion that caused the boiler to blow.
Kiederlen said he was thankful the fire department, Emergency Medical Services and city police departments were so quick to help as well as they did.
"I was very appreciative of how quickly the local resources and even just the community as a whole quickly pulled together in what really is a major interruption for services for campus," Kiederlen said. "We received any and all help we requested without hesitation on the part of any and all resources."
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