Peru, Illinois - May 5, 2009
A North Central Illinois school is taking a unique approach in order to raise funds to replace the floor of its asbestos-laden gymnasium.
Students at Holy Family School in Peru, Illinois will get their gym renovations thanks to a country music concert.
Proceeds from the show (which will feature performances by country bands Little Big Town and Zac Brown Band) at the Cedar Point Sportsman Club will go toward renovations on Holy Family School's gym. The show will be called "Concerts for a Cause".
The current floor has not aged gracefully, and it sheds paint and wax. The deteriorating gym floor poses a health risk for several reasons, but school officials and parents are most concerned about potential asbestos exposure.
"We had contacted several companies about the gym floor," said Principal Jasiek. "It was becoming increasingly dangerous."
Ripping up the old floor would expose asbestos tile. Asbestos is usually considered safe if it is sealed away and not disturbed. Airborne asbestos can lead to mesothelioma. Rather than undergo costly asbestos abatement, the school has decided to lay the new floor on top of the old one.
As long as all safety precautions are followed during the installation of the new floor, the likelihood that anyone in the building will be exposure to harmful asbestos fibers is small.
"Concerts for a Cause," organized by a committee and Lou's LaGrotto restaurant in Peru, has funded school projects in the past. The concert series chooses worthy recipients by reading through letters asking for aid sent by local schools.
The committee and Merry Noonan, co-owner of Lou's and concert organizer, visited the school twice Tuesday. That clinched the decision, Noonan said.
"They wouldn't be able to have basketball games and tournaments," Noonan said. "If we can help, we will help you."
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