WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — It's been just over a year since the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts was hit with devastating flooding from a water main break.
Renovations wrapped up just in time for the start of their 38th season.
28/22 News has more on how the nonprofit has rebuilt thanks to help from the community.
Just one year ago, more than 500,000 gallons of water destroyed several spaces in the F.M. Kirby Center's lower level.
"It was close to 11,400 square feet that were actually underwater during this. So our entire gallery space, our VIP bar, our dressing rooms," F.M. Kirby Center Director of Operations Bobby Kelchner said.
Most shows were still able to happen after the flooding, but the center suffered some big losses.
Mail-in ballots with misspelling being reissued in Luzerne County
Damages totaled to just under $4,000,000.
"That's why you have insurance right? But that being said, there were still a ton of out-of-pocket expenses that we didn't plan for," Kelchner stated.
F.M. Kirby Center staff says support from the community has been crucial in helping them keep the arts alive and the damage did bring some positives.
"So we were able to update some of our plumbing. We were able to add a second pos system down here for our Mohegan Sun Lounge VIP Bar which is huge for lines on show nights," Kelchner explained.
Kelchner says the flooding also showed just how strong the downtown community is.
"From our first responders that were here getting water out the first day of the flood to following through with local businesses that were able to jump in and help us out and our members and our donors jumped in a lot and gave us a lot of support there too," Kelchner added.
For more on what's coming up at the F.M. Kirby Center, you can find more information online.
