Hockey on pause in Weyburn after minor ammonia leak

Weyburn’s only hockey arena will remain empty for the weekend as city officials work to repair Tuesday’s ammonia leak.

The leak started in the arena’s one-year-old ice plant chiller for both the Crescent Point Place ice surface and Tom Zandee Sports Arena ice surface.

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“We have some non-destructive testing on the ice chiller today, being conducted by third-party inspectors,” explained Andrew Crowe, the Director of Leisure Services for the City of Weyburn said on Friday.

“Unfortunately, it’ll take the weekend for them to get the results from those tests, and then they’ll provide us with the details early next week.”

The leak was first detected by arena staff, and it prompted an immediate closure of the arenas. The swift action of the staff received praise from Crowe.

“They caught it early, and their prompt action just ensured that the situation was handled safely and effectively, and we were able to deal with the situation before there was any more of a serious incident that occurred,” Crowe said.

The city said in a news release that the leak is a minor one, and the repairs affect groups like Weyburn Minor Hockey, Weyburn Skating Club, and the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Weyburn Red Wings.

The Red Wings had to postpone their game on Tuesday against the Yorkton Terriers and their Friday night game against the Humboldt Broncos.

The game against the Terriers will be made up on Jan. 28, and the one against the Broncos will be made up on Dec. 2.

“We practiced in Yellow Grass… it’s definitely a different rink than ours,” said Cody Mapes, head coach and General Manager of the Weyburn Red Wings.

“The boys had fun with it, it was pretty chilly in there and it’s a small little space, but the rink people there treated us well.”

The Red Wings will also practice in Midale over the weekend.

Weyburn Minor Hockey President Gary Goudy told CKOM in an email there are backup plans in place that are being used over the weekend.

Weyburn Gold Wings, the city’s female U-18 AAA team, will play in Radville on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

Other minor hockey teams will play in Midale, Yellow Grass and possibly Arcola.

— with files from Discover Weyburn, and Will Mandzuk, 650 CKOM

Read more:

• Weyburn hospital evacuated due to gas leak: SHA
• Carbon monoxide poisons players at Wakaw hockey tournament: Mayor