TOWN OF WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWNY) – The sounds of construction replace the sound of weights being dropped at Star Spangled Cross Fit in Watertown.

“It was a nightmare. It destroyed our business,” said Star Spangled Cross Fit General Manager Leo Rogers.

At the beginning of November, sewage covered the gymnasium floors.

Rogers says the city’s sewer lift system is supposed to alert the city when there’s a problem, but it hasn’t. So the problem wasn’t noticed until it was obvious.

“Water flows here until they turn it off. A flowing sewer,” Rogers explained.

Rogers says he was told the city replaced the pumps after the first incident.

Then it happened again and destroyed the fixes that had already been made.

The floods also destroyed his wife’s hair salon, which is outside the same building.

“We assumed it would happen and then it happened twice more. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1,” Rogers said.

Between the three floods, Rogers says the DEC estimates at least 27,000 gallons of sewage poured into the Star Spangled Cross Fit.

From December 1, the owners had to throw out the equipment themselves, replace the floors and install a non-return valve.

“Our insurance covered part of the first incident and I just got an estimate right now, we’re at $18,000 over and above that.” The second incident, our insurance hasn’t covered it yet, but we’re close to $60,000, which will be close to $100,000 once we’re done with everything,” Rogers said.

Rogers says after countless attempts to work with the city, he feels their problems are on the way.

Town Supervisor Joel Bartlett says the town has its own insurance company and policy and the appropriate insurance companies will work on any settlements.

“We’re hoping not to go out of business,” Rogers said.

The gym has currently suspended memberships, meaning it is not generating any revenue. The hope is to bring gym goers back in February.

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