1957: Insurance Covers YUHS Gym Replacement Cost

This story originally appeared in the March 6, 1957, edition of The Yuma Daily Sun.

Insurance coverage will meet the replacement costs of the gymnasium destroyed by fire at Yuma Union High School early Monday.

Although replacement costs have not been estimated, insurance company officials said this morning that the gymnasium can be replaced on the same site at no cost to district property owners.

Bob and Ernie Pancrazi, owners-managers of the A.T. Pancrazi Insurance Agency, servicing agent for YUHS, said the "replacement endorsement" was added to the high school's insurance program in May of 1956. Prior to that time, insurance would have paid only the replacement cost of the building less depreciation.

Insurance company figures show that construction costs have increased about 300 percent since the gymnasium was build in 1939.

Equipment destroyed in the fire was also covered but will be depreciated in the recovery plan. There also are provisions for paying the loss of students' and employees' personal property provided there is no other insurance coverage.

The Pancrazis said the high school's insurance program comes under the broadest and most complete coverage available.

Meantime, reaction of Yumans, off and on the campus, has been overwhelming, school officials said. Several student clubs have offered to make up the difference in replacing some of the personal property lost by students.

Col. Walter Abbey, Yuma Test Station post commander, has offered the loan of military facilities and equipment to the athletic department, and Stella Davidson, owner of the Sun Sox, has made a similar offer for the school's baseball team.

The school's wrestling team, preparing for the state tournament, is working out this week at the Vincent Air Force Base gym at the invitation of Air Force officials.