Water leaks at Rainbow Centre mall concern tenant; management says issue under control

Shoppers at the Rainbow Centre Mall in Sudbury, Ont., pass by dumpster bins collecting water.

They have been placed in at least three locations near Hart, the World Gym, and the second floor of the building's office section where tenant Chris Cosby works.

"Every single time that there is a rainstorm that's more than a few drops, [water] just seems to be coming through," Cosby said.

"All that ever seems to be done regarding this is to put out more buckets."

Cosby said she started to pay more attention to the conditions around her after the deadly 2012 Algo Centre Mall collapse in Elliot Lake, Ont.

Seeing leaks similar to 'living on the slopes of Vesuvius'

Cosby first noticed the ceiling leak near an elevator by her workplace about one year ago, but said her concerns over the shopping centre's structure date back further than that.

In 2014, she said a bucket that was gathering water in the roof crashed through her office ceiling onto the kitchen floor. Cosby said she dislocated her finger after slipping on a puddle. 

Cosby said she tries not to worry too much about the buckets and water stains she keeps finding, but lately her concerns have been growing. 

"It has a certain amount in common, perhaps, with living on the slopes of Vesuvius," Cosby said.

"You get about your life, and don't think about the volcano. But does it ever cross my mind that the roof could quite literally come crashing in? Yes, it does."

The mall's management company, Vista Hospitality Group, rejects any comparison of the Rainbow mall to the now defunct Algo Centre.

'Making a mountain out of a molehill'

Existing ceiling leakage near Hart and the World Gym are due to ongoing roof repairs and heavy rain, according to CEO Amin Visram.

He added that the leak near Cosby's office is happening in an area where the roof was recently replaced. He said the issue is being investigated, and should be resolved by mid-September.

Visram insists Cosby has nothing to worry about. 

"Honestly, I think they're making a mountain out of a molehill," Visram said.

"Trust me, [the leaking is] not because of any type of significant or material issue — structural or otherwise."

Multi-million dollar renovations continue inside the mall's parking garage, Visram added, and work is expected to last until the end of 2018.