Erie gym closes over fear of the roof collapsing. How to tell if yours might

Erie’s post-Thanksgiving winter storm was so severe that it is causing indoor tennis and pickleball matches to be postponed.

Westwood Racquet Club, 2660 Zuck Road, announced to members Tuesday afternoon that the facility is closed temporarily due to a large amount of snow and ice on its roof and exterior walls.

The accumulation of snow and ice caused a section of the facility’s gutters to collapse directly above the main entrance.

“We are arranging for the removal of the snow and ice in these areas and will let everyone know when it’s safe to return,” Westwood officials said in an email. “We want to make sure there are no structural issues before we reopen.”

Last week’s storm dumped more than three feet of snow across most of northern Erie County, causing structural issues for some buildings.

Warning signs for overstressed, snowy roofs

Erie County Government leaders posted a list of warning signs on its Facebook page that your roof may be overstressed due to snow and ice. They include:

• Sagging ceiling tiles or boards, ceiling boards falling out of the ceiling grid, and/or sagging sprinkler lines and sprinkler heads

• Popping, cracking, and creaking noises

• Sagging roof members, including metal decking or plywood sheathing

• Bowing truss bottom chords or web members

• Doors and/or windows that can no longer be opened or closed

• Cracked or split wood members

• Cracks in walls or masonry

• Severe roof leaks

• Excessive accumulation of water at nondrainage locations on low slope roofs

Tips for removing snow from roof

Only qualified individuals should climb onto a roof to remove snow, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

If using a roof rake from the ground, stay several feet away from the eave to avoid falling snow and icicles.

No date has been set for Westwood to reopen. Prepaid classes will be made up or credited to members’ accounts, Westwood officials said in the email.

Contact David Bruce at dbruce@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNBruce.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Westwood Racquet Club closed from amount of snow, ice on roof

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