Theater at Baumholder closes for repairs

[unhappycamper]

The sign above Baumholder, Germany's Wagon Wheel Theater says it all. The base theater was closed because of structural damage, but officials hope to reopen it sometime this year when renovations are completed.


Theater at Baumholder closes for repairs
By Seth Robbins, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Wednesday, March 4, 2009

BAUMHOLDER, Germany — The on-base movie theater here was closed after inspectors determined the roof might collapse.

Lt. Col. Derek Rountree, U.S. Army Garrison Baumholder commander, said that a routine inspection of the Wagon Wheel Theater, built by the Nazis and now used as an Army and Air Force Exchange Service movie theater, showed that the truss was no longer structurally sound.

"It’s the original truss," Rountree said. "We were going through the entire theater as part of an inspection when we were notified it was unsafe, and then we immediately shut down."

In the late 1930s, German troops watched flicks at the theater. U.S. forces took over in 1953, and since then, American movie stars have been shining on its big screen.

The Wagon Wheel Theater will undergo structural improvements, Rountree said, getting a new truss system and roof. Costs are estimated at $650,000. Officials hope the theater will reopen sometime this year.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=61105

[Aviation Pro]

1. I've been to that theatre many a times.....

...during by frequent tours to the then FRG in the 80s.