The Sanctuary, Arcata’s nonprofit community center, suffered extensive damage last night during the storm currently attacking the West Coast. 

A large portion of the weatherproofing on the roof was torn off by wind. There are large, leaking cracks in the ceiling, and inside the only barrier between the water and the floor are dozens of buckets and paint trays. 

But it is in better shape than it was this morning. The puddles inside are gone, and the roof is patched with a temporary cover. Building owner Katie Belknap credited the volunteers who showed up to help before she even got there this morning. Almost 30 of them brought buckets, mops, dehumidifiers, food and warm drinks and cleaned up much of the damage. Belknap is working on getting insurance money to pay professionals to dry out the building and repair the roof properly. 

Piles of roofing outside the Sanctuary. By Dezmond Remington.

The weatherproofing started coming off of the roof around 11 p.m. last night. It hit a neighbor’s home. He wasn’t able to reach Belknap, and she was unaware of the problem until 7:30 this morning. 

Belknap and some of the volunteers are not optimistic about how well the jerry-rigged roof will hold up under the rain the next few days, though they have covered the holes best they can with tarps and plastic and weighed it down with large wooden planks. Belknap was surprised by the damage; she had been on the roof recently and thought it looked to be in good shape. 

Belknap does not know when the Sanctuary might be reopened. For time being, the Playhouse in Arcata has offered to host all of their events. Belknap said that donations would be welcome if anyone wants to help with the restoration.

Volunteer Tom Becker said he was happy to help with the work. 

“I love Katie and I love this place,” Becker said. “We’re a community, and this is a great community center.”

“I wish I could get all the volunteers hot tubs at Cafe Mokka,” Belknap said, “Or at least some gift certificates so they could buy themselves some dinner.”