If anyone in Rotorua has an empty building large enough to temporarily home 40 preschoolers and five adults during work hours, please let Central Kids Rotorua East know.
The centre's Owhata premises was almost 20cm underwater after Monday night's deluge, forcing its early closure for 2017 and adding concerns it may not be ready for its scheduled January 16 re-opening.
Central Kids Rotorua East kindy has been severely damaged by a recent flood. Photo/Supplied
Centre head teacher Barbara Stone said staff had arrived at work on Tuesday morning unprepared for what they saw.
"The bulk of the water had subsided but the mess it left behind was incredible."
Inside the Alistair Ave building a mark on the wall showed how high the water had been inside the building, including inside the oven and fridge, and rubbish bins had moved from one side of the room to the other. Sewage had come up from the toilets and spilled on to the floor.
Central Kids Rotorua East kindy has been severely damaged by a recent flood. Photo/Supplied
"You could see a swirl pattern in the silt left on the floor which suggests there was quite a current happening when the water was inside."
Outside, bark from the playground had flowed into the sandpit, cobblestones had been lifted and matting was left in ruins.
Head teacher Barbara Stone (front) with staff Ashley Williams (left), Lorraine Bishop, and Erin Smith are left with the aftermath of Monday night's flood. Photo/Ben Fraser
"Unfortunately almost everything has to go as it was greywater that came through the centre so it is all contaminated."
Stone said an insurance assessor had visited on Tuesday and on Wednesday.
Parents and staff had begun the clean-up.
"We knew it was bad but the assessor and builder have told us we basically need to strip the building. There's mud inside the walls, the kitchen is a write-off and everything electrical needs replacing.
Central Kids Rotorua East kindy has been severely damaged by a recent flood. Photo/Supplied
"One mum came in and saw the damage and left in tears."
Stone said the centre was built below street level so the rain had gushed down the seven or eight steps leading down to the building, and straight in the front door.
Central Kids Rotorua East kindy has been severely damaged by a recent flood. Photo/Supplied
"Once we've done all we can, the tradespeople will come in and do their part but it seems highly unlikely everything will be done before we are due to re-open on January 16.
"So, if anyone has a spare building we could use until we are up-and-running, please let us know."
