By Gina Morton
LEWISBURG — While The Campus Theatre is down for at least another month, the spirits of those there are not.
“I just keep looking on the bright side,” said Executive Director Mary Bannon, “and thank God it was not totally destroyed.”
On June 29, a pipe burst in the basement which caused three or four feet of water to accumulate. As a result, a short circuit occurred in the electrica panel and caught fire, she said.
She said the theater is lucky for a number of reasons, such as the fact it was open when it happened.
“The pipe was part of the air conditioning system,” she said, “therefore the air conditioning stopped working and the patrons were complaining it was hot in the theater. The projectionist went to the basement to check on it and that’s when he saw water.”
Bannon said the projectionist immediately turned everything off and called Bucknell University, who maintains the theater, and the fire department.
Another reason she said the theater is lucky is because the staff responded appropriately.
The summer is one of the busiest times for the theater, she said, but is confident they will come back working better then ever.
“It’s unfortunate for the community,” she said. “Everyone likes to come down, it’s a hometown theater. ... But you really see how much support you get from the community and well wishes and concern.”
An exact open date has not been determined, but is projected to be another month yet.
An estimate on the total cost of damages has also not been determined.
