Roof collapses at Fairview Arena
Posted Feb 20, 2018 9:58 pm.
Last Updated Feb 21, 2018 4:47 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The roof of the Fairview Arena has collapsed.
Several fire trucks descended on the scene along Fairmount Drive right around 5 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, with the snow-covered roof clearly caved in.
The fire department’s Public Information Officer Carol Henke says they were called out to the same arena on Monday.
“Because there were some structural concerns and so, then we brought in the Safety Response Unit, which is a city team that responds to any structural concerns or construction issues from the building department, and with engineers they deemed the building unsafe,” said Henke.
As a result, the building was evacuated and a cease occupancy order was issued by the city’s safety codes officers in the interest of public safety.
Fire crews have now set up a perimeter to keep people away.
They have also assessed the ammonia located on site, it has been shut off by a contractor and so have the utilities.
A parent says they received a heads up the arena was being closed due to structural issues on Monday.
Trevor Dulmage plays hockey regularly at the arena with his son, and was thankful the facility had been evacuated and the doors locked.
“I actually love the fact they erred on the side of caution and they closed the rink. To be honest with you, it assures me they didn’t take the matter lightly,” said Dulmage.
Dulmage says the rink is heavily used by many minor and adult hockey teams.
According to its website, the rink was built in 1972 and was taken over by the city in 2007.
As part of major renovations, the city fixed the roof of the building, before turning over operation of the building to the Southern Alberta Women’s Hockey Association.
