Snowfall sparks fears of roof collapse, forces closure of S.E. arena
The city has ordered a temporary closure of Jack Setters Arena due to fears that snow accumulation could lead to a roof collapse.
The building, located at 2020 69th Ave. S.E., was part of a review of potentially high-risk facilities on city land following the collapse of the Fairview Arena roof in February.
City of Calgary officials say they received a report on Jack Setters Arena on Friday, which indicated a large accumulation of snow on the arena’s roof could create a hazard.
Following a review of the report and a visual inspection, the city’s safety codes officer issued a “close pending mitigation” notice for the arena.
Marco Civitarese, acting director of Calgary building services, said while the long-term solution
is remediation of the facility, this week the city will look at different options with the community association to get the arena open and running in the near term.
Rick Smith, president of the Millican Ogden Community Association, said the board met with city engineering staff Saturday and learned about the closure.
“That’s when we were informed of their decision to err on the side of caution, in the sense of recognizing the recommendations of the engineer who did the inspection of the roof that there was a safety concern because of potential additional weight caused by snow load on an already overstressed roof support system,” he said.
“As disappointing as it is, that’s what we have to deal with.”
A notice posted on the door of the arena states there is “no imminent danger of collapse,” and adds that according to the city engineer, about 15 cm of snow accumulation would be deemed unsafe. The closure remained in effect Sunday.
“There may be a shoring-up option as well as strict monitoring mechanisms that could result in the arena reopening,” the notice reads. “Those will be discussed at follow-up meetings in the coming days with engineers, the community association and city officials.”
Smith described the closure as “devastating ” for groups that use the arena, including minor hockey, adult hockey, ringette and figureskating users.
“We have a full season all booked,” he said, “As well as public skating opportunities as well. All of those things now have a really big question mark behind them.”
The city said it will work with the community association on a plan to address the structural issues identified in the engineering report.
Smith noted there is already a shortage of ice in the city for groups to book.
“It just throws a wrinkle into everybody’s schedule,” he said.
Civitarese has coached and managed hockey teams and recognizes the challenges in finding alternative spaces. He added the city’s community and neighbourhood services department is working with the association to find alternate ice times to bridge the gaps.
Coun. Gian-Carlo Carra said the city is more sensitive to issues of long-term maintenance following the collapse of the Fairview Arena roof.
“The decision was made to, in an abundance of caution, shut down the facility to the public in potential high snow load periods until we get that repair done, and I think we’re fast-tracking that repair,” he said.
He added that he’s glad council just passed a budget that will allow the city to draw from a pool of capital funds to make these types of repairs on community facilities.
The roof of the Fairview Arena collapsed in February, a day after structural concerns were raised about the building. The arena was closed at the time.
We have a full season all booked . ... All of those things now have a really big question mark behind them.