TYNE VALLEY, P.E.I. — Even with extra precautions being taken to prevent any future air-quality issues at the Tyne Valley Community Sports Centre, assistant manager Adam MacLennan expects it will take a while to regain the public’s trust.
Air-quality concerns prompted the arena’s board of directors and management to close the facility Nov. 19. Extensive testing and remedial work on the buildings heating system was done throughout the week, and the arena reopened to the public Friday morning.
“It’s basically back to regular business, I guess,” MacLennan said.
There were no scheduled activities until 5 p.m. so staff were cleaning and working on the ice surface, which had been left alone while provincial safety officials and private contractors tried to pinpoint the source of the air-quality issue. Dozens of people who were in the building Sunday afternoon and evening had to seek medical attention.
MacLennan was one of the users who reported to hospital Monday morning after playing rec hockey the night before. He was in touch with several players Monday morning who described symptoms of headaches, shortness of breath and coughing, and some said they felt excessively tired during their game.
A decision was made by 8 a.m. Monday to close the rink and report a potential problem to provincial safety officials.
They subsequently learned that users who were in the building earlier on Sunday, including minor hockey players and parents, were experiencing similar symptoms.
“It’s a trust thing that we have to build back up with everybody who is going to be using the facility. Everybody is taking this pretty seriously.”
-Adam MacLennan
Much of the remedial work during the week was focused on the arena’s heating system, including replacement of pipes, getting the furnace working more efficiently and switching some of the heating system from oil to electric. MacLennan said the furnace was not performing as efficiently as it should have been.
The furnace passed efficiency tests Wednesday and air-quality levels in the building were back to normal.
MacLennan said air-quality tests Monday showed unsafe conditions with extremely high levels of carbon dioxide in the building and especially in the furnace room. He said those levels, as well as Wednesday’s favourable test results, will be posted in the entrance to the arena for users to view. He also hopes to have voluntary test results from Thursday, which also confirmed safe conditions, available for display. More check-ups on the entire building were conducted on Thursday.
But MacLennan admits it will take more than sheets of paper to convince people the arena is safe. He said the arena’s board is following recommendations and will be doing regular air-quality tests. There will also be hard-wired monitors added for additional safety.
“We’re doing our due diligence to make sure the air quality is safe for people to be inside the building,” he said and urged people not to be alarmed when they see staff with handheld monitors. “From now on it’s just normal. Every hour you’re in the facility, you will see someone walking around with a handheld device, checking the air. You will see additional carbon monoxide monitors in the facility: don’t be alarmed. It’s just a safety precaution.
“It’s a trust thing that we have to build back up with everybody who is going to be using the facility. Everybody is taking this pretty seriously.”
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