NORMANDY PARK, Wash. — Results from an inspection by Washington’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration confirm that traces of lead and asbestos are in the paint and insulation at Normandy Park's recreation center.
The report says that the paint on the window frames near preschool classrooms has lead.
It also found after testing, there is asbestos in the insulation on the pipes in the breezeway of the community center connecting to City Hall.
Asbestos is a known carcinogen and lead paint can cause seizures or neurological damage if young children eat a lot of it.
"Not gonna be going there. Not until I know I'm sure that it's safe," said Heather Carmody whose son was set to go back to Taekwondo classes at the center next week.
Carmody added, "Just for the overall health and safety of my child just to be around that I mean I know it's not good."
In June the city covered the windows with plastic and put notices up to warn parents to keep kids away from the windows.
However, they are not closing the center.
"I think there is a certain level of concern," said Gary Bolma who lives nearby.
He added, "Hopefully we aren't harmed but no way of knowing."
The building was constructed in 1956 as a school and converted into its current use as a recreational center in 1989.
City manager Glen Akramoff will present his recommendations to fix the problem to the city council on Tuesday.
His recommendations include updates to the whole building.
In total the recommendations would cost the city $684,000.
"I move to authorize the staff to move forward immediately with required and recommended building repairs and secure a consultant for design and project management," wrote Akramoff, in his prepared presentation to the city council.
"I'd hate to see them spend that or the alternative might be three times as expensive to start from scratch and build something new. As long as it's going to be something potentially harmful at least they're fixing it," said Bolma.