Autism Cape Breton faces another reno bill after Sydney flood

Autism Cape Breton is still paying for renovations to the space it acquired a year ago for its programs for young people, and now has to start all over again after the Thanksgiving Day flood soaked everything at floor level.

The basement space near downtown Sydney serves as many as 35 teenager and elementary school-agechildren weekly with an after-school program, and programs to bolster social skills.

Samantha Gascoyne, a parent of a child with autism and the chair of the board forAutism Cape Breton, saidthe flood was "a bit of a nightmare" for her group.

Everything damaged

"Just like many homes and basements and businesses, we came to the centre to find about five inches of water sitting on the floor," she said.

"We're just getting in gear paying off these renovations that were made when we moved into the centre. So, all of the flooring had to be ripped up, anything touching the floor.

"We have a lot of wood andsensory toys that the children enjoy. They all had to go. Mats, the drywall itself."

The organization did $12,000 worth ofrenovations last year before moving into the space, and still owe more than $5,000. Now they are seeking another $25,000 to rebuild and replace all the materials lost.

Theconcrete floor and wallswill have to be specially cleaned to prevent mould, Gascoyne said, and the landlord's insurance policy doesn't cover any of it.

Transition a challenge for kids

Autism Cape Breton has liability insurance but no coverage for any lost items.

The group has been lucky, however, to find alternate locations for some of its programs,Gascoynesaid. For example, the community health complex at Cape Breton University has offered space for the after-school program.

"It's always a challenge for our children to transition," Gascoyne said."So, once they get used to that space where we are, where our home is, to bring them into a whole new environment sets a lot of challenges for our kids."

Planned fundraisersthat would have reduced the amount owing on the recent renovation will now also have to pay for restoring the centre post-flood.

On Nov. 10, a Retro Holiday Night at the Cape Breton Drive-In Theatre will accept donations at the gate, while the annual Autism Rocks fundraiser is scheduled for Nov. 19.

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