Kent State sinkhole filled in, water main break cause not known

Emily Mills

The cause of a water main break that closed the Student Center, M.A.C. Center and Gym Annex on Wednesday has not been determined.

University spokesman Eric Mansfield said the chilled water pipe, which is a part of the air conditioning system for the buildings, has been repaired, and gravel was used to fill the small sinkhole between the Student Center and the M.A.C. Center.

“It could have been weather; it could have been age,” he said in reference to the cause of the break.

Power was shut off to the Student Center, M.A.C. Center and Gym Annex on Wednesday to repair the broken water line, which was close to a transformer that supplies power to the three buildings. A sinkhole opened up because of the break.

The buildings reopened Thursday morning.

Contact Emily Mills at [email protected].