'A devastating day': Leak permanently closes Prescott ice rink
Town staff looking into other uses for rink area at Leo Boivin Community Centre
A probable ammonia leak in the ice plant system at the Leo Boivin Community Centre in Prescott, Ont., has forced officials to permanently close the rink.
The town's refrigeration contractor, CIMCO, did pressure testing of the arena floor in light of the October 2017 death of three arena workers in Fernie, B.C. and recent closure of a rink in Goderich, Ont., due to problems with ammonia refrigeration systems.
- Risk of ammonia leak means Goderich Memorial Arena rink out of commission
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Fernie Memorial Arena worker deaths caused by aging equipment failure, poor decisions: report
The pressure test failed, indicating a leak in the refrigeration system, and the decision to decommission the rink in Prescott was made at an emergency special council meeting held Tuesday.
Woke up this morning and the news still stings. Our beloved Leo Boivin arena is being shut down due to ammonia leaks. Feel bad for the hockey players, figure skaters, and small businesses who are going to be crushed as the biggest economic driver in the winter being closed.
—@leoboivintournyPrescott Mayor Brett Todd said the deaths in Fernie "changed the landscape for ammonia in arenas in Canada."
"It's a devastating day. Arenas like this are the hearts of small towns. It's a hit to the whole community," he said. "Something like this is a huge part of the fabric of the whole town and not having it there will be a heck of an adjustment for us."
New centre to be built eventually
Prescott's town council has begun the process of identifying land for a new Leo Boivin Community Centre, which Todd said could cost between $8 million and $10 million.
However, the new facility wouldn't be ready for between 24 and 30 months, he said.
The existing arena was built for Canada's centennial in 1967. And like the hundreds of other projects constructed around that time across the country, he said — including bridges, sewer systems and arenas — many are nearing the end of their life.
Todd said Ontario's new government should be making plans to renew infrastructure.
"It never became part of the dialogue during the campaign. It should have. You're going to see more problems like this," he said, pointing to the arena.
"We're kind of the canary in the coal mine."
Other uses for building being explored
Town staff are now exploring other recreational uses for the building, including indoor soccer, about 95 kilometres south of Ottawa.
For Prescott residents such as Daniel Cook, 44, who have lived with the arena nearby their whole lives, the closure is a blow.
"If you're in Canada, the hockey rink is the heart of the community, generally," he said.
The local businessman has twin 6-year-old children who played minor hockey in the building and, because they live only a couple of blocks away, were able to walk to their games.
"It's a big deal. I remember my grandfather, who lived a block over from here, giving me $20 to go down to see the Prescott Falcons play. You got in your drink and hot dog, I was probably only 8 or 9 years old," he recalled.
"If they're looking after the safety of the children that are going to use the facility, I can't say anything against that."