The Leo Boivin Community Centre’s ice plant has been decommissioned.
The Town of Prescott held an emergency council meeting last night after the arena failed two pressure tests yesterday morning.
CIMCO Refrigeration is the refrigeration contractor for the Town of Prescott and did the pressure tests on the arena floor. Dan Beattie is the Director of Public Works and Infrastructure in Prescott and says the pressure dropped in both tests causing the arena to fail.
Beattie adds he was called on Thursday about the Goderich Memorial Arena ice plant being decommissioned. Goderich has the same type of ice plant that is in Prescott. In light of what happened in Goderich and the ammonia leak that killed three people in Fernie, British Columbia, CIMCO Refrigeration wanted to conduct these tests.
CIMCO said they would not be turning on the ice plant and recommended all of the ammonia be removed from the ice plant and the plant be permanently shut down.
Mayor Brett Todd says it’s a terrible day they never wanted to see. He adds they are continuing to work on plans for the new arena.
“This is the only option we have at this time and all we can do now is move forward. Expedite the planning and the building of the new Leo Boivin Community Centre and get that new rink built for the Town of Prescott.”
Even though the ice plant is decommissioned, the building will still be usable. During the meeting, council discussed the idea of still using it as a recreation facility for other activities that don’t need ice.
Written by Courtney Crowder