Students were alerted to the school’s recent theater closure on Jan. 30.

A public email was sent out by Skyline President Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud informing the school community of the closure of the Skyline Theater. It was due to the reports that the theater equipment may contain asbestos.

Affected groups like theater cast, dancers, and other scheduled events and performers are already being collaborated with in case the theater tests positive for the hazardous material. Events are either being moved to other facilities, postponed or cancelled, depending on the group’s decision, Interim Marketing Director Jennifer Owen-Blackmon said in response to the possibility of the theater closing.

According to Owen-Blackmon, the theater is open in between construction and is safe to enter. The light fixtures and cables have been removed in order to be tested, but have been put back and the cabling is being redone.

“We are trying to be proactive and trying to figure out some events that are happening in the future,” Owen-Blackmon said. “Those people (the drama department) are obviously aware of the possibility that the theater might not be open, but no, we are absolutely not waiting. We are going to work with everybody that is involved with these plans so that there is a place that they will do their events. We are hopeful that the tests are going to be okay and that everything goes as planned.”

Theater manager Joshua Harris and Dean of Social Science/Creative Arts Donna Bestock have chosen not to comment.

What this means for Skyline is that It depends on the testing that is to be done.

“The first priority is safety, so if there is asbestos, we’ll abate it and won’t expose the faculty, staff or community to it,” Stroud said. “I have confidence that we’ll go through the proper processes. This district has been engaged in construction and modernization and those kinds of things, so our team knows what it’s doing when it comes to that stuff.”

“Once, the work is completed, it will be fully open and available for events,” Owen-Blackmon said.

The theater was built in 1969 and has not had significant changes for 46 years. Skyline is receiving about $100 million to remodel the theater and to build a social science/creative arts complex that includes social sciences and technology.

Asbestos is a mineral that causes fatal illnesses such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. It was used by manufacturers and builders in the past for its useful qualities, such as sound absorption, resistance to fire, heat, electrical and chemical damage, and affordability in order for the buildings to sustain. Most buildings today are built with similar foundations and are not dangerous unless the fibers are inhaled, because the material containing it has deteriorated or was purposely disturbed during maintenance or construction.

Safety is what matters most, according to Stroud, who confirmed that Jose Nunez, ‎Vice Chancellor Facilities Planning & Operations at San Mateo County Community College District, is taking care of the situation.