Repairs to YSU's Ward Beecher Planetarium expected to begin in April

Work to repair YSU's Ward Beecher Planetarium is expected to begin this spring.

Planetarium engineer Curt Spivey told 21 News he's waiting to hear who will be doing the work but said the process won't take long. He said construction is set to begin in early April.

The work on the planetarium comes more than a year after a fire broke out at the building, damaging the lighting and sound systems and the dome. The Chronos Ball and video systems were not affected.

The fire also left some of the equipment and furniture with smoke and water damage.

21 News reported on January 9, 2023, the day of the fire, that the blaze began in the mechanical room outside of the planetarium.

The damage led to changes to astronomy classes and the cancelation of all public access planetarium shows.

In March 2023, Spivey said a dome replacement was 'very likely' after the blaze.

Related Coverage: Ward Beecher Planetarium sound, lighting systems damaged in fire, no idea on reopening date