Record breaking temps leads to arena issues

Too hot for ice time Warm weather has produced mold and it’s delayed ice time at McMeeken arena in the Sault. Lincoln Louttit reports.

Record breaking temperatures across Northern Ontario this fall may be pleasant for a lot of people, but for those looking to take to the ice at an arena in Sault Ste. Marie, the heat is causing issues.

You can barely see through the glass and the ice is still uneven because of poor ventilation at the W.J. McMeeken Centre.

With the arena not expected to be open for another week, local groups are left in the lurch.

"This becomes our home base traditionally by October 1," said Elissa Plastino, Sault Female Hockey Association president.

"Four of our six house league divisions are impacted, four of our six rep teams are impacted, as well as our fundamentals, which is our introductory initiation program for four year olds."

After the fall heat wave, mold was found in the dressing rooms and the warmth created poor visibility for players and fans alike.

"In part the age of the facility, the construction of the slab that the ice goes on," said Tom Vair, deputy CAO community development and enterprise services.

"(With it) being an older facility all contributes unfortunately to the delays we've experienced."

This is the third time the McMeeken Centre has been closed in the last two seasons.

Last year, the doors were shut twice due to carbon monoxide concerns.

The W.J. McMeeken Centre is the oldest city-operated arena. The city is currently awaiting the results of a utilization study which council and staff will use to determine whether more arenas are needed.

"The long term benefits you're not losing the revenue that you're now losing because the McMeeken was closed last year, and you're not losing the revenue from it being closed again this year," said Plastino.

"You add a second pad, you have more additional revenue coming in and the kids are on the ice, kids are being active."

Until the McMeeken re-opens, Plastino said many practices have been cancelled, with no plan for make-up dates.

The city hopes the facility will be open to the public next week.