Roof Repairs Planned At Expo Square

The QuikTrip Center's leaky roof will be repaired this fall.  Tulsa County will spend $1.4 million in an effort to keep the center dry.  The News On 6's Chris Wright reports it cost $2 million to replace the roof three years ago.

Now the county plans to spend nearly 75% of that to plug up the problem.

Linda and George Nassar have operated a booth at the Tulsa House Beautiful Show for five years and they say leaks have yet to put a damper on their exhibit.

"I haven't, not over us. If it is, it's waterless cook wear, so I guess it wouldn't affect us," said Linda Nassar.

"A roof this size, you're always going to have some leaks.  I don't know how you could not have a leak, they're minimal," said George Nassar.

The leaks are minimal because on rainy days, nearly all of water flows down the roof of the QuikTrip center and into its storm drains.   But, some does make its way inside, and officials say the center's trademark cables are to blame.  That's because water travels down the cables, and leaks into the building.

This fall, the cables will be sealed up and officials hope the water will be kept out.

"It's just a situation where we're ready to address it now, and we're moving forward with it," said Tulsa County Commissioner John Smaligo.

Commissioner John Smaligo says sealing the cables is routine maintenance, and the priority remains finishing the big-time fairgrounds construction projects before the Tulsa State Fair and the Arabian Horse Show.

"It's a normal maintenance issue we're dealing with. Like I said, it's no different than having to do normal maintenance on your own roof at home," said Tulsa County Commissioner John Smaligo.

In fact, work won't begin on the leaky roof until after the horse show leaves town.  That means vendors at the House Beautiful Show, as well as the Tulsa State Fair, may run the risk of getting a little wet.

Work is set to begin in early October, and county officials are not sure exactly how long it will take to plug all of the leaks.