T-L File Photo Brookside Mayor Rich Kurner takes a look at a hole in the volunteer fire department’s garage last month after the floor partially collapsed. The village is looking into ways to remedy the issue after the insurance company recently denied its claim.

BROOKSIDE — The Village of Brookside is looking into alternatives after learning that its insurance claim was denied for the replacement of the floor of the volunteer fire department. Last month a portion of the floor collapsed when a firefighter attempted to park the engine into the firehouse garage, leaving a sizable hole in the structure and a crack across the floor.

The matter was discussed during Monday’s Brookside Village Council meeting. Fire Chief Allan Ketzell III said the insurance company expressed that it was an “unrecoverable option” due to previous wear and tear the building has sustained.

He said they contacted a local company to inquire about possible costs to have the floor repaired. The company provided three different options ranging from $80,000 to $120,000.

“We’re going to call some other places to see what their pricing would be,” he said, adding that the project would have to go out for bid so long as the cost is above $50,000.

Ketzell said they are now hoping to make a claim with the flood insurance company as the collapse may have been caused by past flood damage that led to deterioration in the structure.

“The damage to the building has a lot to do with the flooding that has happened over the years since the building was built,” he said.

He said they are “weighing” their options until they hear if they receive approval through the flood insurance.

“We’re looking into every avenue like grants and other funding to help us fix the building, and also for the new building,” he said.

The fire department is currently housing its fire engine at a volunteer firefighter’s garage while they look for funding to fix the structure.

Mayor Rich Kurner said the structural problem of the fire house “goes way back.” He said he found documents from the 1990s when the village had previously looked into correcting the integrity of the floor and it was estimated to cost around $73,000.

In other village matters, council signed a contract with Swiss Valley Associates out of Hannibal for $28,000 to complete the design work for the new fire house and municipal building that will be located on the corner of Patterson and National roads. Kurner said he is hoping to have the project bid out in the coming months once the design work is complete.

The village previously signed a contract with the Thrasher Group; however, the company withdrew its offer last month after it secured a larger project in Columbus.

Kurner said the design work was not bid out this time as the estimate provided by Swiss Valley was under the $50,000 mark.

“They were actually the lowest company bid we received at the beginning of this, but then Beaver (now named Thrasher) said they would do the build and everything so we went with them but then they backed out,” he said, adding that Thrasher was more than double the price.

Also, the village announced it will hold its trick or treat this year from 6-7 p.m. Oct. 31.

Council will next meet at 6 p.m. Oct. 10 at the municipal building located at 875 National Road.