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Rutledge College, the oldest building on USC’s historic Horseshoe and home of the University chapel, is under attack from termites, but USC’s Facility Services plans to eradicate the wood-gnawing insects and repair the damage before the wedding season begins.
Termite damage was discovered on a routine inspection of the chapel by USC’s pest control technician. Termites have infested the pine subflooring in the nearly 200-year-old chapel, but early tests indicate that floor joists and wall structures are unharmed.
“We’ll be in the discovery phase for a while,” said Jim Demarest, director of Facility Services. “We’ve already drilled the perimeter walls and sterilized the soil around the building to kill the invading termite colony.”
After a March 20 wedding, pews in the chapel will be removed and the carpet pulled back to determine the full extent of damage. It’s possible the entire subfloor will require replacement, Demarest said.
“The timing of our discovering the damage was fortunate,” he said. “We’re hopeful that we’ll be able to repair all of the damage and be long gone before the first of many weddings scheduled for the chapel begins April 24.”
03/04
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