Second ammonia leak keeps Weyburn rinks closed until after Christmas

Discovery of a second ammonia leak at Crescent Point Place and Tom Zandee Sports Arena in Weyburn means the Saskatchewan city’s only ice facilities will remain closed until after Christmas.

In a news release on Monday, the City of Weyburn said that after repairs, tests, and a week of running properly, the ice plant chiller developed a second leak.

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In late November, staff at the rink discovered there was an ammonia leak coming from the ice plant that was installed for the 2023-24 hockey season at a cost of $260,000. Weyburn Minor Hockey, Weyburn Skating Club, and the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Weyburn Red Wings all use the arenas.

The city said that measurements of the ice depth confirmed the rink was ready for limited use earlier on Monday and that plans were in place to allow teams to begin light skating sessions on Dec. 10, gradually increasing to a full schedule of ice use by Dec. 13 until the second leak was detected.

Consultants are working to identify the cause and possible solutions but the newly installed ice has to be removed again.

Andrew Crowe, director of leisure services for the City of Weyburn, said that staff and contractors had worked tirelessly over the past week putting in “countless hours” to rebuild the ice, and the second leak was “deeply disappointing.”

How dangerous is an ammonia leak in an arena?

Ammonia is used to help refrigerate the ice surface. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ammonia is an economically and environmental efficient option for the rinks to use to keep their ice cool. It is also energy efficient and doesn’t cause damage to the ozone layer.

Exposure to ammonia can lead to some major problems.

The EPA says if it isn’t properly managed or contained, it can become an irritant to the eyes, nose and throat.

Exposure to ammonia can cause headaches, coughing, difficulty and impaired vision. Those symptoms can lead to asthma, blindness, and pulmonary edema, which can be fatal.

— with files from Roman Hayter and 650 CKOM

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