Tyne Valley rink re-opens after air quality issues

TYNE VALLEY – Even with extra precautions to prevent future air quality issues, officials at the Tyne Valley Community Sports Centre expects it will take a while to regain the public’s trust.

After air quality concerns prompted the arena’s management to close the facility Monday, and extensive testing and remedial work on the building’s heating system throughout the week, the arena reopened to the public Friday morning.

“It’s basically back to regular business, I guess,” the facility’s assistant manager, Adam

MacLennan, said.

MacLennan was one of the users who sought medical attention after experiencing symptoms of headache, shortness of breath and coughing from time spent at the rink Sunday. A decision was made by

8 a.m. Monday to close the rink and report a potential problem to provincial safety officials.

Much of the work during the week was focused on the arena’s heating system, including replacement of pipes, getting the furnace working more efficiently and switching some of the heating system from oil to electric.

The furnace passed efficiency tests on Wednesday and air quality levels in the building were back to normal levels.

MacLennan revealed that air quality tests taken on Monday showed unsafe conditions with extremely high levels of carbon dioxide in the building and especially in the furnace room.

He said those levels, as well as Wednesday’s favourable test results will be posted in the entrance to the arena for users to view. He is also hoping to have voluntary test results from Thursday, which also confirmed safe conditions, available for display. More check-ups on the entire building were conducted on Thursday.

There were no scheduled activities until Friday evening, so staff were performing cleaning duties and working on the ice surface.

But MacLennan admits it will take more than sheets of paper to convince people the arena is safe. He said the arena’s board is following recommendations and will be doing regular air quality tests. There will also be hard-wired monitors added for additional safety.

“Every hour you’re in the facility, you will see someone walking around with a handheld device, checking the air. You will see additional carbon monoxide monitors in the facility. Don’t be alarmed. It’s just a safety precaution,” he stressed. “Everybody is taking this pretty seriously.”