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Hillary Simpson, a junior in biochemistry, walks past the caution tape blocking the staircase outside of the Wolves' Den Monday evening. The Wolves' Den, which will be closed for the remainder of the week, experienced a plumbing problem earlier this week. "I dont think it will really affect many people," Simpson said, "people are headed out for Thanksgiving, and it will be open by the time they get back." Photo by Jordan Moore
Talley Student Center experienced plumbing issues last Friday causing the Wolves’ Den to be closed this week. Lil’ Dino’s and Taco Bell were also closed last weekend when kitchen drain lines clogged, resulting in excess pressure on old pipes and consequent flooding, but are now operating on regular schedule.
Jennifer Gilmore, communications manager for University Dining, said the problem was due to a cloth, which fell down an old brittle pipe on the first floor of Talley.
Randy Lait, director of Dining services, said the incident resulted in a small amount of dirty water coming up from the floor drains on the first floor, but a significant amount of dirty water running into the basement of Talley, damaging an office there and part of the basement kitchen.
About 20 carpet squares in the office were pulled up and a dozen ceiling tiles were removed.
Taco Bell and Lil’ Dino’s Subs reopened Monday morning. Gilmore said there will not be a replacement food service while the Wolves’ Den is closed this week but Taco Bell and Lil’ Dino’s Subs will remain open until 3 p.m. Tuesday and will be closed Wednesday through Sunday for the break.
Kendra McCaffity, junior in communications, said the closing of the Wolves’ Den is very inconvenient for students who usually eat in Talley.
”There aren’t many dining choices available on campus for students so when one closes it really limits our options,” McCaffity said.
Plumbers located the clog and fixed the problem Saturday morning. University Dining, Talley Facilities personnel, University Housekeeping and Environmental Health and Safety all worked together to sanitize Talley.
“We probably had about 30 people there Saturday morning cleaning, mopping and scrubbing everywhere,” Lait said. ”There was minimal backup of water just around floor drains, but it still required emptying the kitchen and cleaning and disinfecting everything.”
According to Lait, the ceiling above the kitchen in the Wolves’ Den has a low drop and was built many years ago, which is where a large amount of the leaking was positioned. The service area of the restaurant was not damaged; however, there are three spots in the Wolves’ Den kitchen that were greatly affected.
Those involved in the cleaning process met with Insurance and Risk Management and the Health Inspector from the N.C. Department of Environmental and Natural Resources and a decision was made to place a temporary moisture barrier over the ceiling of the Wolves’ Den.
Lait said he hopes to have the Wolves’ Den disinfected and sanitized over Thanksgiving break so it is ready for business Nov. 30.
The Wolves’ Den will close again Dec. 11 through Jan. 11 for personnel to replace the damaged ceiling.
Students were disappointed when they found the closed sign on the door of the Wolves’ Den Monday morning.
“It’s pretty inconvenient and stupid that we are paying for this food service and it’s closed,” C.J. Elliot, a junior in political science, said.
“It hurts my feelings deeply. I was craving Wolves’ Den today and now my craving will not be met,” Brad Killebrew, freshman in biological sciences, said.
The closing of the Wolves’ Den has students, like McCaffity, concerned about next year’s renovation process.
“This is just a forewarning of the dining closures during the renovation of Talley next year. Where are we going to eat then?” McCaffity said.
Amy Biever, senior in criminology, said she usually eats at Wolves’ Den several nights throughout the week.
“I’m planning on still eating here even when I graduate and I will not be happy if any of the restaurants in Talley are closed for next year’s renovation like Wolves’ Den is right now,” Biever said.