NORMAL Illinois State University has temporarily closed the food court at Watterson Towers after a water main near the building ruptured, cutting off water to the dining facility.
Students were being sent to eat at the Bone Student Center and other dining halls Thursday while university officials work to re-establish the water connection, university spokesman Jay Groves said.
Workers contracted by NICOR Gas broke the water main near Watterson Towers Wednesday as they rerouted a gas main in connection with the renovation of downtown Normal.
Groves said water to the students’ dorm rooms was not affected. NICOR fixed the main shortly after it broke, but tests on the water need to be done before the food court can be re-opened.
The Watterson food court averages 2,100 transactions per day, Groves said. Bone Student Center and Vrooman Dining Center have picked up most that traffic and are being kept open for extended hours.
Groves said the university has no idea when the Watterson food court will re-open, but he anticipates it remaining closed through the weekend.
"We don’t have a timeline. We’re shooting to open when the water is safe to be used," Groves said. "It’s not safe for our students to use water until it has been properly tested."
Damage to the water main has also cost the university "tens of thousands of dollars," in personnel expenses regarding closing down and re-opening the food court.
The university is going to work with NICOR on finding an acceptable agreement for the company paying for the costs, Groves said.
With other dining halls available, Groves said not having the Watterson food court will be only a minor problem for students studying for finals.
"Any time you have a facility that does 2,100 meal transactions go down, it’s an inconvenience for the students," Groves said. "Fortunately, the university plans for such inconveniences and the other food service facilities are picking up the slack quite nicely."
