News : Vinton's Legion Hall: Closed Temporarily

The crack at the front door that caused damage from the water in the ground.

This is the area beside and behind the Legion that caused all the damage

Half of the space, in the area of the door was covered in water

Legion closed due to water damage. Inside the wood floor is now warped and will have to be removed.

The back door on the west end of the building was the culprit that allowed the water inside.

"The Vinton American Legion building suffered water damage, due to the melting snow. Regretfully, the Legion will be unable to hold any events at the building, until after the damage has been repaired." a short email from Brad Anderson informed me last night.

The Vinton American Legion has faced many challenges over the last decade and a half. 

In 2005 they lost their downtown location to a fire, which forced them to find a new location.

Their new location on R Ave. has been their home since 2006.

The legion has been fortunate enough to keep its head above water, thanks in the past to a grant from USAA, until last week. 

Hosting many events in their building to help the community, the Legion had to suddenly close their doors due to flooding.

The snow accumulations melted behind the building causing the water to flow into the west end of the building through the doorway. 

A crack in the cement by the legion's front door also allowed water to seep in through the floor and run into the front door. 

The damage occurred last Tuesday evening/early Wednesday morning during the warm temperatures which caused the quick snow melt. 

Water filled half of the dining area and flowed to the front of the building soaking the carpet. 

The legion is now storing tables and chairs in a pod storage unit outside the legion. 

While a lot of the damage isn't visible, thanks to hours of using a shop vac to clean up the water, you can already smell the damage that it's doing in the walls of the legion. 

The walls began to soak the water up into the sheetrock and is now trapped between the walls.

As Larry Driscol said, "We're stuck between a rock and hard place." There was no insurance for flooding, of course, thinking they are away from the river and there aren't any creeks visible in the area, it would appear to be safe from any water threats.

What they didn't consider was the hill behind the building, and pushing all of the snow in that direction allowed the water from the melting snow to run right into the building.

The aging veterans also don't have the younger veterans joining the legion to help with labor. 

Some of the work they will try to do themselves, but they can use any willing and able bodies when they get to the place of repairing possibly the walls and floors.

Estimates to repair the damage have begun to come in. For just one area of the building, it will top the $12,000 mark, That won't cover floor coverings, fixing the cement and miscellaneous damage to the legion,

To mail a donation to the Legion, simply mail it to The American Legion, P.O. Box 264 Vinton, Iowa 52349. 

If you are able to help with manpower when they get to the place that they need a hand, feel free to contact Brad Anderson 472-2172 to let him know. If you would like to donate any supplies like floor coverings to the legion also contact Brad.