Teens face charges after $50K worth of damage to Elliot Lake arena

Two 17-year-olds have now been charged in connection with a break-in and vandalism late last week at Elliot Lake's local arena.

As the city was hosting the Stanley Cup aspart of its Hockeyvillecelebrations, police say, someone broke intoCentennial Arena and caused extensive damage.

The rink suddenly closed in 2023 over structural concerns and the community has been raising money since thento fix it. Even more funds will be needed now, as police estimatethe cost of damages to be over $50,000.

In a news release Tuesday, authorities saidthey were called to the scene in the early hours ofSept. 27 after contractors noticed the damage.

"A zoom boom was still runningandhad smashed into a large structural post, seven large commercial fire extinguishers were deployed everywhere, and all food in the canteen cupboards and refrigerator wasdamaged and thrown on the floor," said East AlgomaOntario Provincial Policein the news release.

Two 17-year-oldswere arrested on Tuesday. Both are from Elliot Lake and were charged with break and enter, and mischief over $5,000. Their names are protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The twoare to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice inElliotLakeon Nov. 14.

The City of Elliot Lake had hoped to reopen the arena sometime before the end of the year with the help of the $250,000 prize from the Kraft Hockeyvillecontest win and donations from residents.

It's unclear if the vandalism will delay that timeline.

Some residents told CBC during the Hockeyvillecelebration and NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Ottawa Senators that the local arena is an important part of community life in Elliot Lake, with several young players dropping hockey in the past year because of the lack of facilities.