Squirrel blamed for $300K damage to Indiana community center

A wayward squirrel caused about $300,000 in damage to a community center that was set to open in June in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Parks Department officials say the squirrel got into the electrical equipment of the building in McMillen Park last week, causing a power surge that damaged the heating and air conditioning systems and some parts of the boiler system.

The damage will be covered by insurance, although the department will have to cover the $50,000 deductible.

The community center is set to open June 7 at the old McMillen Ice Arena, which closed in 2009. The renovation will turn the facility into a community center that will include basketball, volleyball and other court sports. It will also have practice areas for field sports, an indoor walking track and multipurpose meeting rooms.

The company that built the community center’s heating and air conditioning systems will work to make repairs in time for the scheduled opening.

Agencies/Canadajournal