An indoor performance at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center on the University of Northern Iowa campus in Cedar Falls was flooded out this morning after an accident involving the sprinkler system. U.N.I. spokesman, James O’Connor, says the “Blue Man Group” was scheduled to perform, but the accident washed out the show.
O’Connor says they were loading in the equipment for the performance and something struck a sprinkler head about the stage, it burst, and water went everywhere.
O’Connor is not exactly sure how many gallons of water were released, but it was enough to force the cancellation of the show. He says it was an emergency fire suppression system made to send out a lot of water in a hurry, so there was a lot of water everywhere. O’Connor says they are still drying out and trying to determine the cost of the damage.
O’Connor says they started cleaning up immediately after they got the water turned off and they will know more later today about the exact amount of damage. O’Connor says they are hoping to get things ready for shows on Wednesday and Thursday.
O’Connor says all three nights of shows have been sold out for some time, and they don’t know yet what the total economic impact might be. He says Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center holds 1,600 people.