Earlier this month, ULM began repairs on two natural gas leaks discovered on campus beside Walker Hall and near Spyker Theatre.
Adam McDonald, assistant director of media relations, explained that university officials found the gas leaks on Oct. 9 during a routine campus patrol.
“Actions for repairs were taken the same day,” McDonald said.
Construction workers removed the sidewalks between Walker and Caldwell Hall to rectify the gas leak. The repairs exposed underground pipelines and cut off stretches of walkways.
McDonald said the university completed a temporary repair, and cleanup is underway.
“Temporary repair has been made near Walker Hall,” McDonald said. “Plans for permanent repair are in progress.”
Another minor repair of the same nature occurred between The Sound of Today building and Spyker Theatre.
ULM maintenance staff and Utility Compliance Solutions LLC collaborated to repair the gas leaks.
So far, the university has spent some $5,112.31 on the repairs, according to McDonald.
McDonald explained that university officials did not know the project’s total cost. He said the university had not proposed a budget when it submitted the funding requests.
“There is not a projected budget because the extent of the repairs needed is still being evaluated,” McDonald said.
Facility maintenance manager Chris Ringo could not be reached for a comment.