MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Thursday, Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid celebrated welcoming 2 million customers since it opened in April. WREG caught up with staff at the event to check on the status of repairs on its leaking roof.
Bass Pro has had more customers than expected, but it has had more water than expected, too.
The shop’s architect explained the reasons why the roof continues to flood when it rains.
“It’s a 25-year-old building, and there’s some caulking that’s come apart on the northeast corner of the building, which isn’t part of the building Bass Pro nor the city ever even touched,” said project architect Tom Marshall.
WREG pushed for answers on why it is taking so long to fix.
Pictures from May show kiddie pools catching falling rain. Cellphone video shows the same thing three weeks ago.
“They are working diligently. There’s work actually being performed today, but it’s been ongoing,” said General Manager David Hagel.
The city still owns the old home of the University of Memphis and the Grizzlies. Bass Pro only rents the Pyramid.
The city plans on using the rent money to help pay for the fix. It is expected to cost about $122,000 once waterproofing experts get done.
“I think you’ll see it all stopped up within the next few weeks,” Marshall said.
Bass Pro said the leaks are not a big deal, and they are not hurting business. Two million customers in eight months help make their point.
“You know, we wanted to bring the outdoors in, and that’s what you got, but it’s being fixed,” Hagel joked.
Hagel said the flooding has not caused damage inside the store.
