Warner Auditorium, owned and operated by Church of God Ministries, has been temporarily closed as of today, May 4, 2005, due to environmental concerns. The Anderson University commencement event scheduled in the building for May 7, 2005, has been moved to the Ward Fieldhouse inside the Kardatzke Wellness Center on the northeast corner of the university campus (north of University Boulevard).

Located on the Church of God campground at the corner of Fifth Street and Nursery Road, Warner Auditorium was built in 1962 to accommodate the services of the annual Church of God camp meeting. Asbestos was used in an acoustical installation added two years later. Since July 2004, Church of God Ministries has been working with the City of Anderson to address and resolve the asbestos issues. In November 2004, Church of God Ministries began working with CSO Architects to design a plan to address structural issues in Warner Auditorium, including the removal of the asbestos.

On Monday, May 2, Church of God Ministries was notified by the Anderson Office of Air Management Control of a potential air-quality problem in Warner Auditorium. All workers in the building were immediately removed and the building closed and secured. On Tuesday, May 3, after a meeting of officials from Church of God Ministries, the Office of Air Management Control, and HydroTech of Anderson, HydroTech conducted a test of air quality. Positive test results received on Wednesday, May 4, confirmed concerns about the air quality. Warner Auditorium has been closed, and all access restricted, until steps can be taken to resolve the air-quality problems.

Church of God Ministries is working with the City of Anderson and HydroTech to evaluate options to immediately address the air-quality problems. CSO Architects has determined that Warner Auditorium has no structural problems. Church of God Ministries is currently evaluating proposals from CSO Architects to reconfigure Warner Auditorium. All proposals involve complete removal of the asbestos.