Chapter house basement to begin first phase of remodel
Written by: Garrison Ledbury - 12/1/2020
Sigma Pi Delta-Iota has raised over $28,000 to reinforce and waterproof the chapter house foundation. Beginning on December 12, actives and alumni will begin clearing space in the basement. Badger Basement Systems has been contracted to then tackle multiple improvements to the basement from January 11 through January 15 that include:
Adding supports to reinforce the existing foundation
Installing sump pumps with water alarms
Implementing a waterguard system around the perimeter of the house
“This project will water seal our basement. With our foundation watertight, we can look forward to the next steps of the renovation” Alumni Board President Michael Brost (‘09) said. “What’s more, is the project has a lifetime warranty. If we somehow come across a problem anytime in the future, we can go back to Badger Basement Systems to solve any issues.”
The chapter house’s basement flooded in the summer of 2012. As a result of the damage, the entire basement was emptied. This has created significant challenges for the actives and alumni. Without the basement to provide rooms for brothers to occupy, members have been forced to rent out rooms on the second floor only. A maximum of 7 to 8 actives can live in the house per semester. With this upcoming upgrade to the house’s foundation, the Alumni Board hopes that Delta-Iota brothers will be living downstairs again soon.
“I am really proud that we have been able to undertake this huge first step that will pave the way for the rest of the house. We are doing this the right way so we know that our brothers can live in and enjoy the basement for the next 50 years,” Alumni Board Vice-President Ryan Tredennick (‘11) said.
Funding for this project came from the donations of actives and alumni from different generations of Sigma Pis. In eight years of donating, the chapter house will begin the first step of many in its restoration. While this project continues, alumni are encouraged to consider donating to help fund future projects. Donations can be made on the Sigma Pi Delta-Iota chapter website, http://www.sigmapiuwp.org/.
Any brothers with experience in house renovation or contracting are also highly encouraged to email Alumni Board President Michael Brost at mikebrost11@gmail.com.
More updates on the 555 Renovation will follow in the coming months.