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Exclusive: Science Center of Iowa's IMAX may never reopen Share Shares Copy Link Copy

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SNOWFALL TOTALS AND A MUCH COLDER 8 DAY FORECAST COMING UP. STEVE: WE HAVE BAD NEWS TONIGHT FOR FANS OF THE IMAX THEATER DOWNTOWN AT THE SCIENCE CENTER OF IOWA. STACEY: THERE IS NOW A CHANCE IT MAY NEVER REOPEN AFTER FLOODING CLOSED THE POPULAR ATTRACTION BACK IN JUNE OF 2018. KCCI SENIOR REPORTER TODD MAGEL IS LIVE DOWNTOWN TO SHOW US WHY THE THEATER HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR 18 MONTHS. TODD: THE SCIENCE CENTER HERE JUST SOUTH OF COURT AVE HAS BEEN BATTLING WITH ITS INSURANCE COMPANY THIS ENTIRE TIME FOR SOME KIND OF SETTLEMENT FOR MORE THAN $3 MILLION IN DAMAGES. THE TROUBLE IS, WE’RE HEARING THIS THAT IF THE SETTLEMENT DOESN’T CALM, IT’S A GOOD CHANCE IT COULD BE THE END FOR THE GIANT IMAX SCREEN. EMILY RICHARDSON GIVES US A TOUR OF THE DAMAGED IMAX THEATER. >> WE HAVE 216 SEATS IN THIS THEATER. TODD THE SCIENCE CENTER OF IOWA : MARKETING DIRECTOR SAYS IT’S BEEN A LONG AND SAD 18 MONTHS. >> IT’S BEEN A BIG CHALLENGE AND A BIG DISAPPOINTMENT FOR US FOR IT TO BE CLOSED FOR SO LONG. TODD: THE IMAX ROOF LEAKED AFTER A BAD SUMMER THUNDER STORM BACK IN 2018. THE WATER DAMAGED ALL THE SEATS, POURED INTO SOUND INSULATION AND PEELED OFF WALL COVERINGS. IT ALSO DAMAGED THE RARE IMAX 70 MILLIMETER FILM LIBRARY AND THE EXPENSIVE FILM PROJECTOR. SINCE THEN, THE SCIENCE CENTER HAS BEEN BATTLING WITH ITS INSURANCE COMPANY TO COVER THE REPAIRS. >> BETWEEN THE INSURANCE COMPANIES THAT WE ARE WORKING WITH AN IMAX, THERE ARE A LOT OF PARTIES INVOLVED. IT’S A VERY BIG SETTLEMENT WE ARE LOOKING AT BECAUSE THE EQUIPMENT IS HIGHLY SPECIALIZED, AND THEREFORE VERY EXPENSIVE. TODD: IMAX MOVIE FANS HAVE ALSO MISSED MAY OF THEIR FAVORITE NEW FILMS ON THE 6-STORY DOMED SCREEN. >> PEOPLE WHO HAVE SEEN ALL SORTS OF THE STAR WARS FILMS HAVE BEEN ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT THE FUTURE IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE. TODD IF THE SCIENCE CENTER CAN’T : GET A SETTLEMENT WITH ITS INSURANCE COMPANY, THERE IS A CHANCE THE IMAX THEATER WILL CLOSE, BUT IT’S TOO SOON MAKE A FINAL DECISION. >> WE ARE NOT SAYING THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE AN IMAX THEATER BUT IT’S SMART FOR US TO , BE ABLE TO LOOK AT ALL THE OPTIONS ON THE TABLE. TODD THE SCIENCE CENTER SAYS : THEY HOPE THEY ARE NEARING THE