WESTBROOK – The roof at the Westbrook Community Center is proving to be a pesky problem for construction crews.

Replacing the 35-year-old roof at the former Wescott Junior High was initially expected to be a $750,000 endeavor. But City Administrator Jerre Bryant said recently the project would cost more and run longer than hoped due to a leaky skylight that is proving more problematic than originally thought. There is no estimate of cost overruns yet.

The extent of the issue “wasn’t known in detail” when the work began, Bryant said, but “we knew there was some leaking.”

The roof is approximately 80 percent redone, but a portion of it is sending engineers back to the drawing board for new skylight designs. Andrew McBrady, aquatics director, said the skylight is above the locker rooms and atrium.

“That’s a significant project in itself,” McBrady said. “That is the biggest leaking spot in the building.”

McBrady and Maria Dorn, the director of community services, said the construction has not been as much of a hassle or created as much noise as they originally feared. Programs have continued at the center and its offerings have steadily increased over time.

“We knew once they went up there, it would probably be like opening Pandora’s box. It was an old roof and a flat roof so we knew that it may not have gone as quickly as we had hoped,” Dorn said.

She indicated that, once finished, the affected area would still have some form of natural lighting. The design is likely to be different, as McBrady pointed out the angled glass skylight now collects too much rain and snow, leading to leaking issues.

“There will be a natural light area. It won’t be all glass like it is now,” Bryant said.

The roof repairs were supposed to be finished before winter, but now remain in limbo due to snowy conditions. Workers will not be back on site until spring, with Dorn estimating they would be able to finish up quickly on their return.

Meanwhile, work continues to modernize the rest of the structure; in the coming weeks crews are set to begin replacing exterior doors and windows to increase energy efficiency, officials said.

A $265,000 grant is expected to pay for that portion of the work, Bryant said.

So far, city officials have secured several sources of funding for the estimated $4 million community center repairs. There is a $1 million bond, the grant for the doors and windows and a $750,000 donation from the Cornelia Warren Community Association. Bryant said the city continues to look at grants and potential donations from endowments to fund the project.

Another possible source is the sale of 2 York St., where City Hall is located. City officials have said city operations could move into the community center if they go through with the sale.