From the street, the house at 25 S. 100 East that is home for the Tooele County Children’s Justice Center looks like a gem with its original wood windows and brick facade.
But move a bit closer and signs of deterioration and disrepair become evident. The problems that plague the building are a result of the center’s tight budget and deferred maintenance, which has sparked a capital improvement campaign to raise money for the needed repairs, said director Rachel Cowan.
Cowan is intimately aware of the problems the center faces — especially with one of the major concerns located behind her office. A deck on the second floor behind Cowan’s desk is slanted downward toward the house, which funnels rainwater at the French doors.
Rainwater that had been slowly funneled into the house by the deck in the past turned into a waterfall during storms this spring, she said. The water that leaked into the building flooded the ground level conference room.
The wooden windows are rotted and the plaster around the bottom of the window frames is bubbled up as a result of water damage. Cowan said the windows make the house difficult to heat in the winter and the rooms have different temperatures as a result.
There’s also no soffit or fascia at the rear of the home, which has allowed birds and other animals to nest in the attic and rafters, she said.
A lack of funding for maintenance and repairs, as well as work by volunteers instead of contractors, has led to the slow decline of the building, Cowan said.
“We know as a non-profit … usually you don’t have the best of the best,” she said.
Replacing the windows, installing soffit and repairing the deck are the priorities for the center this year, said Tenille Tingey, treasurer of the Friends of the Tooele County Justice Center. The non-profit is a fundraising and support group for the center, which is run by the county.
Contractors have not finished submitting bids for the work, but Tingey said she expects this year’s repairs to cost upwards of $70,000. The capital improvement campaign to fully repair the center’s house span three to five years, she said.
“We’re looking at significant dollars,” Tingey said.
In addition to the Friends of the Tooele County Justice Center, the center receives funding from the county and state. The county is expected to contribute to the needed repairs but won’t be able to cover the complete cost, Tingey said.
The non-profit will attempt to collect donations in addition to its annual fundraisers, a golf tournament, which was held in June, and a black tie, blue jean event in October. All proceeds from the two events will go toward the necessary repairs, Tingey said.
In addition to donations, the non-profit is looking to add more board members, Tingey said.
Bids from local contractors and awareness of the justice center’s mission — and asking questions — will all contribute to the cause, Cowan said.
“We really think we have a great community and hope they can support us,” she said.