POST FALLS — The new expansion of the Post Falls Senior Center, after damage and delays, is expected open on Monday.

The center, originally expected to open on July 16, was delayed due to rain damage and a dispute over who was at fault. Greg McLean, vice president of the center's board, said attorneys and insurance companies are still determining who was at fault for the water damage, but the center and Contractors Northwest, the general contractor for the project, are moving ahead with construction.

"During the course of the expansion, the main room received water damage in the ceiling," McLean said. "We're in dispute over whose responsibility that is. We're finally getting it fixed now, but we've had to hire an attorney and get the insurance company involved."

McLean said he recently met with Contractors Northwest to get the project back on track.

"We finally came to an agreement to have the contractor finish the repairs, and we'll worry about who is responsible later," he said.

The grand opening of the expansion will be held on Oct. 13 starting at 4:30 p.m. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 5:30 p.m.

McLean said the damage and corresponding dispute delayed work in the main building, but other parts of the project continued through the summer.

The expansion has included extending the front entry 18 feet with a covered area and adding to the north side of the building with a computer resource room and activities area. An Idaho Community Development Block Grant of $150,000 paid for nearly half of the project.

During the delay, weekly meals were moved to Garden Plaza. Meals on Wheels still operated from the center, while some events — including last week's food distribution to those in need during Community Care Day — went on as planned.

"The kitchen area was not affected by the delay, just the dining hall," McLean said.

However, senior center officials estimate the center suffered $52,000 in income losses that likely won't be recouped.

"We had to cancel some weddings and other events," McLean said.

In a phone message to The Press on Tuesday, Contractors Northwest CEO Jason Cates confirmed the company met with McLean to get the project wrapped up, and insurance companies are sorting through the damage mess.

"It looks like we'll be done at the end of the week and they should have full use of the facility by the beginning of next week," Cates said.

In a followup email, Cates wrote on Wednesday that CNI and its partners encounter challenges daily in their business and are committed to making solutions.

"Accordingly, we are working through the water damage issue … and are looking forward to the completion of the repairs and restored use of the space by close of business (today)," Cates wrote. "The CNI team is fully committed to the safety, well-being and services for the elderly in our community and we are thrilled to be working with the Post Falls Senior Center on this project.

"These goals and commitments will be fully realized when the project is completed. CNI looks forward to more partnerships that make a difference for those of us who live here."

A message left with management at Barton Roofing, a Spokane sub-contractor on the project, was not returned as of deadline Wednesday night.