COLUMBUS, Ohio — More than a month after an Aug. 11 tornado tore through Columbus’ South Side, the Barack Community Center remains closed and its repairs are expected to cost about $5 million. The storm ripped the facility’s roof from the building and deposited it in the parking lot. Water entered through roof and HVAC damage, prompting officials to shut off electricity. Crews also found damage to flooring, ceiling tiles and other interior systems. Columbus Recreation and Parks Director Bernita Reese said the department is moving ahead with a contracted repair vendor but will not reopen the building until it is safe. “People always say fast,” Reese said. “I think the number one thing is safety.” Repair work is expected to include a new roof, replacement flooring, electrical repairs and new ceiling tiles. Reese said contractors have been assessing the work, but the city does not yet have a firm reopening date. The department is aiming for spring 2027. The Barack center was one of several city recreation and park facilities damaged by the storm. At Berliner Park, high winds snapped electrical poles and scattered debris across athletic fields. Parks employees cleared glass from the fields and removed trees within days, Reese said. The park hosted a major tournament about two weeks after the storm. The visible progress, however, does not mean the cleanup is finished. Columbus’ forestry crews are still removing downed trees and debris from parks and other public spaces, with work expected to continue into late fall because of the extent of the damage. The prolonged repairs at Barack Community Center leave residents in the surrounding South Side community without access to a familiar public recreation facility. The city’s timeline makes clear that restoring the building will require more than removing storm debris: major structural and infrastructure work must be completed before the doors can safely reopen.