Indoor New Berlin Sports Complex Re-Opened After Partial Roof Collapse

NEW BERLIN, WI — OAW Indoor Sports Complex in New Berlin has re-opened after its roof sustained a partial collapse amid heavy rain in July, the building's owners announced in a news release.

Ethic Indoor, the complex's owner, made the announcement on Dec. 29 while easing potential concerns about reentering the building. An investigation revealed that there was an inadequate roof drainage system, causing rainwater to pool and cause damage from the additional weight, the release said.

The issues that caused the rainwater to pool, however, have been found and fixed with a new roof drainage system that includes an overflow system, the sports complex said.

Related: OAW Sports Complex Outlines Plan For Re-Opening After Roof Collapse

"Rest assured that Ethic, and its partners, have taken appropriate action to repair the roof and prevent a situation like this from happening again, the release said. "Rest assured Ethic, and its partners, have worked diligently to ensure the structural integrity of the entire building, floor to ceiling, top to bottom. Ethic is committed to the safety of its guests, and the OAW Sports Center is reopening to the public with Ethic's complete confidence in the building's integrity."

The building's reopening was slated to last in phases, with the first parts reopened in November. Construction was set to begin in September with a concentration on the southwest corner above the basketball courts.

When the partial roof collapse happened, around 50 people had to be evacuated from the building, the New Berlin Fire Department said at the time. The building is located at 5330 Racine Avenue.

The indoor sporting complex offers programs for adults and children ranging from wiffleball to basketball, pickleball and more. The 153,000-square-foot facility features turf, courts, music classrooms, a cafe, offices, weight rooms and more, according to its program guide on its website.