Sylvan Lake’s remaining indoor ice surface will remain closed longer than originally anticipated.
The reason is the location of the building in proximity to the arena which was rendered unusable when about one-third of its roof collapsed early Monday morning.
The multiplex, situated immediately south of the arena, was originally shut down because the gas line which supplies it ran through the arena. But councillors were told at a special meeting Tuesday night, that the remainder of the arena will have to be demolished before the multiplex can be used again.
The reason, said Ron Lebsack, director of community services, is that if the south wall of the arena collapsed and fell towards the multiplex it would be within the ‘strike zone’ and could damage the building’s dressing rooms.
In the meantime, Atco Gas crews were busy Tuesday installing a new gas line to the southeast corner of the multiplex from 48th Avenue. That work, and the work of a contractor inside to install piping to the main line location in the northeast end of the building, was expected to be completed Wednesday.
Lebsack estimated at Tuesday’s meeting the town could have the facility ready for use within two days.
Approval for demolition is needed from the insurance company before it can begin. The company has been made aware of the town’s dilemma and he hoped to get approval to begin demolition of the arena quickly.
“We are still awaiting the insurance provider to complete an assessment of the building by (their own) structural engineer and a visit and report from a property valuation firm,” said Lebsack in a written report.
Councillor Dale Plante received confirmation from Lebsack that the multiplex could be reopened when the arena’s south wall was on the ground and that they wouldn’t have to wait for debris to be cleared from the site.
Asked how long demolition would take, Lebsack said information he’d received was that it could be done in a matter of hours.
Mayor Sean McIntyre concluded the open portion of council’s meeting stating, the town has plans in place to “develop a facility in that region. Council and I will have to review them to make sure we proceed strategically. We have to address them immediately but we’re not interested in rushing decisions in fear of making decisions that will plague us in the future.”
“It’s time for us to unite as a community to come out of this situation. We’ve done it before.”
About 30 people packed council chambers for the special meeting.