Calvert Sports Warehouse collapses under heavy snow
Chester Bergen - Senior staff reporter
OWINGS, MD - The Calvert Sports Warehouse, home to over 600 young athletes playing futsal (indoor soccer), lacrosse, field hockey, and other indoor sports during the winter months was destroyed by a massive roof collapse after the record snowfall of February 6, 2010. The very popular sports facility issued the following statement via its website (www.calvertsportswarehouse.com):
"During the snow storm 5-6 February, the CSW building suffered major roof damage. Unfortunately, we will not be able to play session 2 Futsal. We are sincerely sorry and saddened by this. We will be contacting coaches and teams, and provide necessary refunds and provide further information as it becomes available."
The warehouse was no stranger to controversy. In late 2009, the Washington Post reported that "The facility, at 7650 Binnacle Lane, is in an area zoned for light industrial uses, not sports or recreation uses. The warehouse did not receive the proper inspections or have the required use and occupancy permits, according to officials."
In fact, they were fined a reported $500 and told to shut down because of their lack of permits.
"It was a great facility" said one parent. "Unfortunately it could not withstand mother nature. I'm just glad nobody was in the building when it collapsed. The roof literally fell right to the floor."
Another parent said, "At first I was a little irked at the County for giving them such grief but maybe if proper permits and modifications had been done, this would have never happened."
It is important to note that it is not known if deficiencies in structural design had anything to do with the collapse.
"I just feel sorry for the 600 plus kids that now have no place to go for their winter athletics. It feels like a giant step backward.", said yet another parent.
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The Calvert Independent
