Villa Maria Catholic Life Center in Springfield is getting a new roof.

On Oct. 10, workers from Renaissance Roofing in Belvidere began tearing off the building's original clay tile roofing and removing the old guttering.

"The roof we are replacing it with is a metal roof that resembles slate when it is installed," said Greg Fleck, the diocesan associate director for property, buildings and cemeteries. "It is very durable and has a 50-year warranty.

"We have had some problems over the years with the gutters and the fascia behind it, and are doing some repair work to that as we go along," he said.

When the project is completed the Villa's pitched roofs will all be new, and the lower sections of the gutters will all have downspouts. "We have already replaced the flat roof over the Villa's chapel," Fleck said.

The project is estimated to take from four to six weeks.