Structural deformity found at Portsmouth pavilion; four shows impacted
WAVY News Staff and Andy Fox
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — 10 On Your Side has learned there is a “major” structural flaw at the Union Bank and Trust Pavilion in Portsmouth.
Information on the flaw was revealed to council Monday night by City Manager Dr. Lydia Pettis-Patton.
Engineers were doing a routine annual check on the 17-year-old pavilion when they found what is being described as a 5/8 to 3/4-inch deformity in the main support mast that holds the canopy.
The preliminary recommendation from engineers is to remove the canopy and ease the tension wires to relieve stress on the mast. It is believed once this work is complete, there will likely be no further safety issue.
Removal of the canopy could take two weeks and will impact the first four shows scheduled this season at the pavilion:
Saturday, May 12 – “May The Funk Be With You” featuring George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic, with special guest Shelia E. has been rescheduled to Sunday, August 12 at the pavilion. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the show will begin at 8 p.m. All tickets purchased for the May date will be honored.
Friday, May 18 – Primus, Mastodon, and All Them Witches has been moved to Chrysler Hall with the same date and show time. All tickets purchased will be honored.
Saturday, May 19 – Vance Joy has been cancelled. Tickets purchased via Ticketmaster will be automatically refunded to customers’ accounts.
Sunday, May 20 – Alabama with Montgomery Gentry has been moved to Veterans United Home Loan Amphitheater in Virginia Beach. The date and time of the show will stay the same. All tickets purchased will be honored.
Those shows will be either rescheduled or moved to other locations. Updates will be posted on the pavilion’s Facebook page and website.
Pettis-Patton told council Monday, “It is a top priority and we are working quickly to ensure the entertainment system is impacted as little as possible.”