Teens charged after 'extensive damage' done to Elliot Lake, Ont., arena

Youths charged with vandalizing Elliot Lake arena Two 17-year-olds have been charged in Elliot Lake with breaking into Centennial Arena and causing $50,000 in damage.

Two 17-year-olds have been charged in Elliot Lake with breaking into Centennial Arena and causing $50,000 in damage.

Ontario Provincial Police were called to the Spruce Avenue rink at 7 a.m. Sept. 27 when contractors working on repairing the area "noticed the extensive damage inside," police said in a news release Tuesday.

"A Zoom-Boom was still running which had smashed into a large structural post, seven large commercial fire extinguishers were deployed everywhere, and all food in the canteen cupboards and refrigerator were damaged and thrown on the floor," police said.

"The estimated cost of damages is over $50,000. Police obtained video footage from security cameras, which also show the same group of youths trespassing and attempting to break into Central Avenue Public School."

The teens were arrested Tuesday and charged with two count of break and enter and mischief over $5,000.

They are to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Elliot Lake on Nov. 14.

Centennial Arena is currently undergoing $4.3 million in repairs and has been closed since September 2023. The community won $250,000 in the Kraft Hockeyville contest towards the repair bill.

Elliot Lake would have hosted a weekend pre-season NHL game last weekend if the arena was open. Instead, the game was held in Sudbury.

The investigation is ongoing and additional information will be provided when available, police added.