TAMPA, Fla. — The City of Lakeland officially released a report showing the extent of damages from Hurricane Milton and the city's response to recovery following the storm.
The RP Funding Center was among the several places that saw damages. While the building is typically used for various conventions, expos, sporting events and concerts, the city said various departments used the center as an emergency hub to prepare for the hurricane. That includes the Lakeland Police Department (LPD), the Lakeland Fire Department (LFD) and the Red Cross.
The building's roof saw significant damage, the report stated, though emergency repairs are underway. Drains on parts of the roof were dislodged because the wind rolled up the fabric, and water infiltration from the roof caused damage to some ceiling tiles in the concourse areas.
RP Funding Center sees damages after Milton
Insulation on ductwork in the affected areas has also been damaged by water but is also under restoration, the city said in its report.
The outdoor marquee and four spotlights may have been damaged by the storm, though the city added that both require further examination.
The arena also reportedly saw minor leaks on the convention side concourse which were caused by punctures in the roof.
Although efforts to repair the damages are underway, the city added that the center has been used to host an Insurance Village event, allowing the community to meet with various insurance companies if they've been impacted by the storm and need to file storm-related claims.
