Sprinkler malfunction causes flooding in Modlin

A sprinkler malfunction over the summer caused significant water damage to the Modlin Center’s Alice Jepson Theatre, according to a press release by the Modlin Center.

The theater is equipped with a fire sprinkler system that is designed to create a wall of water between the stage and the audience in the event of a fire, said Andrew McBride, associate vice president for facilities.

Flooding in the theater occurred when a valve that keeps the water from flowing released, McBride said.

The malfunction occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. on July 24, and the water was shut off within about 40 minutes, said Cynthia Price, director of media and public relations.

“As soon as the water started flowing, it set off an alarm,” McBride said. “Police responded and we got the water off and immediately started the clean up process.”

An estimated 60,000 gallons flooded the theater, causing the most damage to the stage and the area below the stage. Lighting and sound equipment was also damaged and will have to be replaced. The cost of the damage is still being estimated, McBride said.

The sprinkler manufacturer and insurers are working to determine why the malfunction occurred, Price said.

Most performances scheduled for the Jepson Theatre this semester have been moved to various other locations, including Carpenter Theatre and Altria Theater, both located in downtown Richmond, and Camp Concert Hall in the Booker Hall of Music, according to the press release.

For the shows moving off campus, customers were given the option to receive a full refund, exchange their tickets for a different show, or be reseated in a comparable seat in the new venue, said Jack Carlson, a box office assistant in the Modlin Center.

Every customer who had purchased tickets to a show in the Jepson Theatre was called and informed of the changes. A free shuttle service is also being offered from the Modlin Center to the shows moved to locations off campus, Carlson said.

According to the press release, Deborah Sommers, executive director of the Modlin Center, anticipates that the theater will be reopened by Jan. 22, 2016 for the performance of Ricochet, A Circus of Two, Smoke and Mirrors.  

Contact Collegian reporter Jack Clark at john.s.clark@richmond.edu.