Last night a water main break on Sunset Boulevard resulted in some eight million gallons of water flooding part of the UCLA campus, with Pauley Pavilion absorbing a significant amount of damage. With the building undergoing major renovations a couple years ago (reopening in 2012), some $136 million in improvements were placed in danger due to the flooding. However in assessing the damage Wednesday, the biggest concern moving forward is the state of the court used by the basketball, gymnastics and volleyball programs.
According to Ryan Kartje of the Orange County Register, UCLA athletic director Dan Guerrero has been assured that the building will be ready for use when the men’s basketball team begins its season with an exhibition game on October 31.
With regards to the damaged John Wooden Court, a new surface would be ready for use by the time the season begins should UCLA feel the need to replace the current floor (which they are attempting to salvage). Given the damage a large amount of water can do to a wood surface, one would think that UCLA’s best course of action would be to begin the process of putting together a new floor as soon as possible.
For the time being the affected programs will have to make use of the Student Activities Center and the John Wooden Center while the school works through the process of renovating Pauley Pavilion. No figures have been given as to how much the damage done by the flooding will cost the school.