Gerena Community School set to undergo major repairs to the tunnel system.
Water damage can be seen last year on the walls of the underground walkway at the German Gerena Community School in Springfield's North End.
SPRINGFIELD - The School Committee is looking for ways to find half a million dollars for continued repairs to the tunnel system at the German Gerena Community School.
School Committee member Antonette E. Pepe said members of the Budget and Finance subcommittee and the Building and Maintenance subcommittee met last week to discuss the needs at the school.
The School Department can come up with $150,000; it is requesting $350,000 from the city for the tunnel project, she said.
"The money will go towards fixing the floors in the tunnels as well as reinforcing a security wall and possibly establishing a small office for security personnel that will be stationed in the tunnels as well as some other things," she said.
Pepe hopes some of the money can be obtained through fundraising.
"This is not just a school project; this is really a community project," she said."People will be using the tunnels and the library and children who do not attend the school will also be playing in the new play area."
The total project is estimated at $3 million with some of the money coming from state and federal funds.
Pepe said she hopes the project can get under way as soon as possible.
"This school has been in need of repairs for many years with all the water damage and the mold," she said. "We are hoping to have the money secured in the next few weeks."