'A devastating day': Leak permanently closes Prescott ice rink

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 arink in Goderich, Ont., due to problems with ammonia refrigeration systems.

• Risk of ammonia leak means Goderich Memorial Arena rink out of commission

• 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 decommissionthe rink in Prescott was made at an emergency special council meeting held Tuesday.

Prescott 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," hesaid. "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 BoivinCommunity Centre, which Todd saidcould cost between $8 million and$10 million.

However, thenew facility wouldn't be ready for between 24 and 30 months, he said.

The existing arena wasbuilt for Canada's centennial in 1967. Andlike the hundreds of other projects constructed around that time across the country, he saidincludingbridges, sewer systems andarenas many are nearing the end of their life.

Suspected ammonia leak permanently closes Prescott ice rink

6 years ago

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Mayor Brett Todd says Prescott will likely be without a hockey rink for several seasons.

ToddsaidOntario's new government should bemakingplans 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 asDaniel 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."