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Assessments are underway to determine the level of damage at the Bruce II Sports Centre in Port aux Basques, after a windstorm ripped off part of the building’s roof on Monday.
Mayor Mark Andrews said it’s a devastating turn of events, but one he’s confident the town can pull through.
The building is a central part of not just Port aux Basques, he said, but the entire region.
“It’s a pillar of our community,” he told CBC Radio’s Newfoundland Morning.
“It’s where people gather. It’s where people gather for hockey, for curling, for swimming, for bowling, for exercise. It’s an all-in-one building. It’s a great facility. It’s just a massive blow to our residents.”
A new roof membrane was installed just last year, costing the town about $1 million.
WATCH | A roof was no match for the fierce winds on Monday night:
Watch ferocious winds rip a roof off a Port aux Basques sports centre
With gusts of 125 km/h, the roof of the Bruce II Arena in Port Aux Basques looked like it was being peeled away easily as winds lifted it off Monday night.
Chad Skinner, head coach of Trigon Jiu Jitsu and MMA, coaches out of the centre. He’s thankful no one was injured in the incident.
“It’s been quite emotional, but with everything still being up in the air, it’s too early to really understand what impact it’s going to have on not just this community, but the entire southwest coast,” Skinner said.
“This is our community centre and the centre of the entire coast.”
Chad Skinner says the impact of the damage is being felt throughout the community. (Amy Feehan/CBC)
The Bruce II is named after the original Bruce Arena, which was destroyed by a fire in 1995.
Andrews — who was stranded in North Sydney, N.S., by the storm — said other town officials had a chance to walk through the Bruce II when the wind died down.
He said there didn’t appear to be damage to the swimming pool or the bowling alley, but the entire building will stay closed while assessments are underway. The insurance company is expected to be on site throughout Tuesday, Andrews said.
Hardy’s Arterial Road remains open, but the town is asking people to avoid the arena itself.
Wind gusts hit 125 km/h in Port aux Basques on Monday.
The town is no stranger to strong systems and natural disasters, having taken heavy damage during Hurricane Fiona in September of 2022. Dozens of homes were destroyed, causing more than $7 million in damages and claiming the life of a 73-year-old woman.
Andrews said Monday’s wind brought back memories of Fiona — wounds that are still fresh.
“We are a resilient town. We are a strong town and we will get through this together.”
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