The historic Panida Theater in Sandpoint has resumed performances after a brief closure prompted by electrical safety concerns, including two incidents over a span of roughly two months — one of which came close to causing a fire and another that resulted in a person being shocked.
The closure was brief but the concerns behind it were serious. Executive Director Heather White brought the matter before the board at its June 4 meeting, describing a pattern of unresolved electrical problems and raising alarms about the potential for injury or worse. “I’m concerned about loss of life,” White said in remarks reported at the meeting.
Safety Concerns Had Been Documented for Years
White had formally requested an electrical assessment report from the board on May 27. When the report was provided, it contained information dating back to November 2023 — and listed several issues flagged as “short-term critical” that had never been addressed. The report also included an estimate for repairs totaling well over $300,000.
White also told the board that the facility lacked legally required safety lighting, adding another layer of concern beyond the electrical grounding issues she had initially flagged.
Complicating the situation, White said she had not been given access to information about facility maintenance and safety responsibilities until after the two electrical incidents had already occurred. She began her employment with the theater on November 1, and it was not until June 1 that the board president informed her of her operational responsibilities in that area.
Board President Sean Behm was out of the country and unable to attend the June 4 meeting. Board Vice President Charlotte Solly chaired the session in his absence. Faced with the documented hazards and White’s concerns, the board voted to close the theater until electrical issues could be professionally evaluated and resolved.
Inspections Clear Path to Reopening
The closure was relatively short-lived. A licensed electrical contractor conducted a walkthrough assessment on June 8, and a state electrical inspection followed on June 10. The state inspection confirmed that the main theater could safely resume performances.
Board Secretary Amy Flint relayed the results on June 10. “We received positive findings from a walkthrough conducted [June 8] with a licensed electrical contractor, and a state electrical inspection on [June 10] confirmed that the main theater can safely resume performances,” Flint said.
While those findings allowed performances to restart, the work is not finished. A more detailed electrical survey — described as an infrared test — is scheduled for June 18. That survey is expected to provide a more comprehensive picture of the building’s overall electrical condition and help guide any longer-term repair work.
A Broader Question of Deferred Maintenance
The Panida Theater is one of Sandpoint’s most beloved cultural landmarks, and the episode has drawn attention to what appears to be a backlog of deferred facility maintenance. The fact that a report documenting critical electrical hazards sat unaddressed for more than two years — and that the theater’s own executive director was unaware of her maintenance responsibilities until after safety incidents had already taken place — points to organizational and infrastructure challenges the board will need to confront moving forward.
The $300,000-plus repair estimate underscores the financial weight of those challenges. For a community theater that depends heavily on ticket sales, donations, and community support, addressing that kind of capital need will likely require significant planning and fundraising effort.
The Panida has long served as a gathering place for North Idaho residents, hosting films, concerts, live performances, and community events throughout the year. For audiences attending events at community venues across Bonner County, the safety of public spaces remains a shared concern.
What Comes Next
The June 18 infrared electrical survey will be a key next step in determining the full scope of repairs needed at the Panida. Results from that assessment are expected to inform the board’s decisions about prioritizing and funding the work identified in the original 2023 report. No timeline has been publicly announced for completing the broader repairs, and it remains unclear how the theater plans to finance work that could exceed $300,000.