KAMSACK, Sask. — Kamsack residents should not expect to see the Broda Sportsplex open at the normal time for its winter season opening.
In a normal year, children would be skating and playing hockey in the facility by mid-October, but this year the opening will be delayed considerably.
During its regular meeting of Sept. 28, town council dealt with short-term fixes for the Sportsplex.
With major issues affecting the Sportsplex, council decided to work on several short-term fixes, some of which will have to be further addressed in the long-term, Barry Hvidston, CAO (chief administrative officer) said following the meeting.
One of the first issues being addressed is the leaking roof which, in the short term, is estimated to cost $5,000, while in the long term would cost closer to $150,000, Hvidston explained, adding that another required fix has to do with the cubes.
Basically, the cubes are responsible for the heating and cooling system and four of which are needed to cool the methanol to make the ice. Three bring heat from the geothermal unit into the building, while the eighth deals with the building’s water, he said. To replace all would cost from $1.5 million to $2 million, but in the short term, allowing the facility to “limp along,” would be to replace the deteriorating parts, fix the leaks and make the system functional.
Council hopes these fixes will make the facility sufficient for one winter.
A couple rooms, including the cube room and the pumping room, must be sealed from the public and an air exchange system must be installed, he said. Air quality monitors must be purchased.
Mould must be attacked, he said, explaining that a number of rooms, including a referee’s room, dressing rooms and a number of utility rooms, are being affected by mould.
Representatives of a company called Got Mold! of Saskatoon were at the facility recently to conduct an air analysis and within a couple of weeks council expects results from their work, along with a plan of attack.
Doors must also be replaced or repaired, he said. The front doors have been damaged by water. They don’t seal and are hard to open and close. Also, emergency exits need to be repaired or replaced, and council expects it would cost about $30,000 for door repairs.
The hot water tanks, which were electric, are to be replaced with natural gas units at a cost of about $65,000 and council has authorized their purchase.
There are extensive issues with the kitchen, including safety issues, he said. Mould is one concern, the exhaust fan is not up to code, the stove and deep fryer need attention and how the natural gas is utilized are all issues that need addressing.
For sure, the kitchen cannot be open for use during the 2026-27 season, he said, adding that the quick fixes will include the acquisition of personal protection equipment for the staff and fixing the heaters, in addition to the repair of some cracking, unsafe steps and passageways.
Council authorized the purchase of a number of dehumidifiers to assist with the moulding issues and help with high humidity within the building caused by the frost coming out of both, the hockey and curling cement slabs.
