JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A burst pipe at a Springfield community center on Friday has left two organizations without a home and students scrambling for a place to learn.
The flooding at the Bridge Boys and Girls Club caused extensive damage to both the club and iCity Christian School and the cleanup is just beginning.
Dr. Keva Hampton, Head of School at iCity Christian School, says the call she received was alarming.
“The whole second floor had flooded, and she said, water is pouring everywhere. And I was hoping that it was an exaggeration. We were all in route to get here, and then another team member was coming, and I told them just immediately try to move what they could, things that was on the floor in a low position until we could find out where the water was coming from,” Hampton said.
What she found when she arrived was worse than she imagined.
“Water was drenching down the walls. It was pouring through the elevator shaft. I mean, you just had to see it. We hear about these types of pipes bursting and floods taking place, but until you have actually seen it happen, it was just pouring in at a speed and at a rate you would not have believed,” she said.
Flooding at Springfield Boys & Girls club (Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.)
The flooding started on the second floor and eventually came through the ceilings to the first floor, leaving both destroyed.
The storage room where the pipe burst has a caved-in ceiling with water still leaking and the room right next to it is a classroom.
Floors, walls, furniture, computers and school supplies were all destroyed.
Water remediation companies are now inside working to dry out the building and check for long-term water damage before it is safe for children to return. There is currently no timeline for repairs.
iCity Christian School has been serving the Jacksonville community for 20 years, providing mentorship and a safe space for students.
The school moved into the Boys and Girls Club building in 2024, serving dozens of students in a one-on-one learning environment.
Now the school is urgently searching for a temporary location, hoping to have students back in a space as early as next Monday.
“We don’t have anywhere to go. And so we’re going to call on our mayor and our city and ask them, hey, is there a community center we can use? We’re looking for a temporary location to move our kids as quickly as possible,” Hampton said.
Both organizations are accepting donations, including financial, electronics, board games and school supplies, anything that can help students continue to learn while repairs are underway.
Students at the Boys and Girls Club have transitioned to its Brentwood Club location, about a mile to a mile and a half away.
To donate to iCity Christian School, click here.
Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.