Long Beach Casting Club

NOTE: The Casting Club web site will be used in the future to disseminate official information regarding meetings, dates, activities, and class schedules. Please log in to our web site for the most current information.

Since the first announcement regarding the fire a week ago, the following has occurred:

Monday, Dec 3, 2007

• Fire inspection completed and the “cause undetermined”. It started at floor level between the fireplace and the front corner of the building. There are no indications of wrong doing.
• The Fire Department approved the club house for access. It has minimal structural damage.
• The insurance company approved taking any reasonable and prudent action to prevent further damage.
• There is extensive damage in the meeting room and especially by the fireplace. There is smoke damage in the kitchen, office, bathrooms, storage and casting rooms.
• Wet ashes and debris were removed by volunteers to save the remaining floor.
• Multiple inspections were completed by Long Beach Parks and Recreation and Marine staff.
• A communication network was established for member updates (see above regarding web site).
• Press releases written and distributed.
• Board of Directors Meeting
  • Approved restoration of clubhouse as quickly as possible.
  • Approved contractor for professional cleanup.
  • Began setting specifications for bids for restoration contractors.
  • Heard offers of support from Long Beach Park staff.
  • Requested use of Community Center (across street from Cub House) for events for next six months.
  • Determined to continue normal club operations to the greatest extent possible.
  • Cancelled the Southwestern casting tournament in February to concentrate on the restoration.

Tuesday, Dec 4, 2007

• Salvage, packaging and building clean up continued by volunteer work team.
• Salvageable items packed and stored in lockable outside storage containers.
• Building opened up to allow air circulation and drying of floors.
• Inspections completed by insurance adjustor, risk assessment team and fire department.
• Authorized clean up company to begin on Wednesday.
• Received call form Director of Parks and Recreation expressing support for LBCC restoration plan.
• Sent letter to Mayor Bob Foster informing him of LBCC restoration plan.
• Confirmed with Ed White of LB Parks for temporary perimeter fence to be installed Dec 10.
• Begin draft article underway for FFF magazine.

Wednesday, Dec 5, 2007

• Security services suspended.
• Second storage container delivered.
• Electrical power restored to the pond lights and to circuit breaker box.
• Community Center “Bruins Den” not available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There is also a staffing cost.
• Carole Katz developing schedule of volunteers for club house oversight when/as needed.
• Met with insurance company property adjuster and provided lease and other information as requested.
• Began developing list of building contents and estimates of replacement costs.
• Gave interviews to Long Beach Press Telegram and OC Register.

Thursday, Dec 6, 2007

• Project transitions from crisis management to project management.
• Boarded up hole in exterior wall.
• Club house clean up by contractor completed.
• Salvage of target room completed.
• Regular cleaning of smoke damaged rooms needed to regain some functionality—office, storage room, bathrooms and kitchen.
• Paul Burgner has formed a reconstruction team that includes Dan Rivett, Joe Richter and Nani Blyleven. The City of Long Beach contacts for the restoration are J.C. Squires, Alan Kosoff and Phil Lopez. Scope of work analysis is underway. Burgner also is in preliminary discussion and evaluation of general contractors, and is coordinating with insurance adjusters and establishing links with the city.

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