Listen to this article
Estimated 3 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
The Department of National Defence said it is closing its arena on the 14 Wing Greenwood base effective immediately “out of an abundance of caution” after finding asbestos in the building.
In a public service announcement, the department said recent environmental sampling in the arena identified “settled asbestos dust and settled lead dust.” It added that the immediate closure is to limit “the potential for exposure to hazardous materials while remediation and follow-on testing are completed.”
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is a known carcinogen, according to the Canadian Cancer Society. Lead is a metal that is toxic to humans, especially young children and those who are pregnant, according to the World Health Organization.
“14 Wing understands that the arena’s closure will disrupt the public’s access to valued programs and recreational services,” read the announcement. “Their priority is to protect the safety and well-being of both its personnel and the members of the community.”
Situation ‘concerning’ to skater
Emily Cuming, a 17-year-old who has been skating at the rink for four years, said the situation is “a little concerning,” but she understands why the measure was taken.
“I think the asbestos was mostly in the storage area, not like out in the open rink,” she said. “I was not spending a lot of prolonged time in that area.”
Cuming added that the closure disrupts her plans to skate in the 2026-2027 season. The arena is only 10 minutes away from her home, but now that it is closed, she said she will have to drive upwards of 40 minutes to get to another rink.
“Because my parents are military, I actually have a father who is going on deployment next year,” said the young skater. “So that will put all the driving on me and my mother. And because my brother is also doing other sports, that will limit my ability to skate myself if I have to drive that far away.”
The closure was announced on July 23. (Robert Short/CBC)
Cheryle Gaston, the head coach at the Greenwood Skating Club for 45 years, said she was also informed that the area with the asbestos is used for storage, not the main rink.
“They assured us that it was localized and that they had it under control,” she said.
But she said the sudden closure has left the club scrambling.
“It was quite a gut punch when we first read [the public service announcement], because we literally had had our planning meeting and were in the process of organizing our registration for this season,” Gaston said.
With around 150 skaters of all ages, she said the club is trying to find other rinks with ice time.
Gaston said the club has reached out to local arenas on either side of the community of Greenwood and has found some available ice time for skaters.
MORE TOP STORIES