December 2022 MU pipe freeze cost more than $1.3 million

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Pipe bursts on the University of Missouri's campus in late December that caused "significant damage" at Faurot Field ended up having a hefty price.

Records obtained by ABC 17 News show in total the university paid more than $1.3 million after pipe bursts affected Memorial Stadium, Mizzou Arena, Green Tennis Center, campus residence halls and general education buildings.

MU Spokesperson Christian Basi said, specifically, damage impacted the stadium in areas near the south end zone, the athletic training room, a practice gym at Mizzou Arena, the Green Tennis Center, seven residence halls and a couple general education buildings.

"It was an extremely cold weekend, and it happened all over campus," Basi said.

Basi said the university is self-insured and has outside insurance. The university has a fund that can be utilized in the event of emergencies, however, he said these expenses exceeded that amount, so they have to submit a claim.

The cost breakdown of Memorial Stadium expenses shows the largest expense was $330,848 to Allen, a flooring company, for flooring repairs. Basi said a temporary floor was put in the stadium, but a permanent floor will be put in after the football season ends.

The second highest expense was $298,931 to Otis, an elevator company, for elevator repairs in the stadium. Basi said the elevators are fully functional, but after the football season ends they will be reevaluated to see if they need to be replaced.

ABC 17 News previously reported more than $100,000 was given to Service Master for immediate cleanup. Other expenses for the stadium listed in the report include carpet cleaning, window cleaning, chairs, televisions, signs and air conditioning unit repair.

The assistant director of facility operations and maintenance, Tod Fudge, told ABC 17 in an email, "There is still a slight possibility the numbers could change by a very slight amount as the work is not complete due to putting some work on hold until football season is over."

Specific cost breakdowns for the other affected areas were not included in the report.

Basi said while it's impossible to guarantee a pipe freeze won't happen again, the university took steps to try to prevent it from happening in the future.

He said an air handling unit inside the stadium had been in the ceiling at the time, and was moved to an interior position. He also said some air penetration was found in certain areas and that has since been sealed up.