Fernie mayor thanks Flames for 'beautiful gesture' of outdoor rink after 3 men died in ammonia leak

The mayor of Fernie, B.C., is thanking the Calgary Flames Foundation for the "beautiful gesture" of paying for anNHL-sizedoutdoor rink.

The community's indoor arena has been closed since ammonia a toxic gas used to freeze ice leaked and killed three men last month.

The town's recreational services director Lloyd Smith, 52,chief facility operator Wayne Hornquist, 59, and refrigeration specialist Jason Podloski, 46, died when investigating an alarm early in the morning on Oct. 17 at the Fernie Memorial Arena.

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"I have to say the first couple of weeks were pretty challenging and sad for everybody," Mayor Mary Giuliano toldthe Calgary Eyeopeneron Thursday.

"I think people are starting to heal, andcertainly this beautiful gestureis helping to alleviate some of the concerns that people have had about a lack of a rink."

Earlier this month, the Calgary Flames Foundation contacted the City of Fernie to offer to pay fora full-sized outdoor rink.

The Fernie Lions Club co-ordinated the offer and found local businesses to donate supplies and skilled labour to the project.

On Monday,city council accepted adonation from the Calgary Flames Foundation in the form of boards, penalty boxes, player benches and a time keeper box.The city agreed to cover maintenance and operational costs.

"We believe in the power of sport and the benefit of providing communities opportunities to play and are happy to be a part of mobilizing this in Fernie," foundation executive director Candice Goudie said in a statement.

Construction has begun, with the goal of openingthe rink open to the public by winter break.

The full-sizedoutdoor rink with natural ice will be built at theFernieAquatics Centre, andcan made permanent if the city decides.

It'slarge enough that youth, seniors, and recreational hockey teams and figure skating can use it as a replacement for the indoor rink.

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Right now, families and players are driving to donated ice times at rinks in the B.C. towns of Elkford, about 65 kilometres north, and Sparwood, about 30 kilometres north.

"We've been told by citizens that came and approached the city that the commute is being found difficult for some of the parents and the children, and they were concerned that some of them were dropping out," Giuliano said.

"So this is really a welcome addition because having the rink here in Fernie will allow for those groups to use it."

'The loss was huge'

Ferniehas another outdoor, smallerrink. Last year, Lloyd Smith had one built on the city's courthouse lawn for public use.

"It was used by everybody. Every day there were children and families on it," Giuliano said. "And this year, it is being put out again just because we want to honour Lloyd."

She said the town will continue to miss all three men, two of whom she knew personally. Podloskilived in Alberta but his girlfriend was "longtime Fernie, born and raised," Giuliano said, a "person that we all know."

"Theloss was huge for all three men."

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With files from Caroline Wagner andthe Calgary Eyeopener.