AUSTINTOWN TWP., Ohio - Experts have concluded that the water damaged Fitch High School gymnasium floor cannot be restored and will have to be replaced.

A burst pipe resulted in major water damage to the wooden floor, but school officials were hoping the warped surface could be repaired.

Superintendent Vince Colaluca informed the board of education that the floor can't be fixed, and they'll seek estimates on the cost of pulling it up and replacing it.

Colaluca expects the process to take three or four months.

He says volleyball is the only activity affected by the loss of the gym this summer, and those participants can use other school facilities.

Even if the floor is replaced, Colaluca says he still has concerns that calcium deposits in plumbing could result in future water line breaks.