West VirginiaUniversitys CreativeArtsCenter will remain closed throughout the week as cleaning of the facility continues and further air samples are monitored for asbestos particles, said Dean of the College of Creative Arts Bernie Schultz.

Classes in the facility are officially canceled, but students are encouraged to check with respective faculty via e-mail or the MIX .

“This is a proactive measure to thoroughly clean the areas of dust and dirt and to resample the air following some extensive remodeling,”Schultz said.”We will be bringing in extra work crews throughout the week and weekend with the goal of reopening on Monday (Oct. 21).”

In the meantime, Schultz will be arranging for the removal of instruments and other necessary items from some levels of the building so that performances can continue.

A percussion concert scheduled for the Mountainlair Ballrooms Thursday and Friday (Oct. 17-18) will still be held. For information on other events scheduled at the CAC , phone 293-4841 ext. 3108.

If, for some reason, the facility does not open Monday, alternative plans for classes and performances will be announced. Stay tuned to local news outlets, e-mail and WVU Intranet/Internet sites for details.

An open forum for College faculty, staff, students and the general public is set for 1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, in Room 113 COMER Building to answer any questions or discuss any concerns surrounding the closing of the CAC .

A project to renovate performance areas, upgrade the buildings sprinkler and fire alarm system, install a new air handling system and remove spray-on asbestos fireproofing from steel beams in ceilings and hallways has been ongoing since June. The facility was closed over the summer for much of the work and reopened at the start of the fall semester. During a shutdown over the weekend to test the air handling system, a few air samples tested slightly higher than allowable West Virginia standards for asbestos particles, thus the facility did not reopen.