Ephrata aims to fix city library roof

EPHRATA — The city of Ephrata hopes to begin repair work on the city’s leaky library roof this fall.

“There is a major problem with the roof,” said Mayor Bruce Reim during a regular meeting of the Ephrata City Council on Wednesday. “When it rains hard, there are waterfalls in there.”

The council approved a $4,600 contract with architecture firm The DOH Associates, of Wenatchee, to design a new roof for the library, which used to be the city’s fire department.

“I’ve already been in contact with the architect, and they will get right on it,” said City Administrator Mike Warren. “Maybe we can put it out to bid in September or October for work. Maybe that’s pie in the sky, but that’s what we’re hoping for.”

Warren said that the North Central Regional Library system says the Ephrata Library is the one in the most need of physical repairs. Warren blamed the library’s problems on its flat roof and wants the new roof to slope.

“I don’t understand why anyone would want a flat roof,” he said.

“When the fire department was in there, there was always a leaking problem,” added City Council Member Mark Wanke.

— Charles H. Featherstone