The Wakaw Jubilee Arena, established in 1980, has been a popular venue for hosting various tournaments and events for young and aspiring athletes. However, a recent incident involving a carbon monoxide leak during a tournament has raised concerns about the safety of the arena, leaving parents inquiring about the potential dangers.
The tournament in question was organized by the Saskatoon Flyers Jackals U15 team and involved eight teams from across the province. Throughout the event, players began reporting symptoms such as headaches and nausea, with some even becoming ill and vomiting. Concerned parents and coaches raised questions about the cause of these symptoms, initially suspecting food-related issues. However, as reports of affected players spread, it became evident that the cause was much more serious.
Following high levels of carbon monoxide detected by SaskEnergy, the arena was promptly closed down. Despite reassurances from Mayor Mike Markowski that the furnaces were newer than the facility itself and that activities would soon resume, further inspection revealed that the ice resurfacing machine was the source of the elevated carbon monoxide levels.
The Town of Wakaw promptly closed the arena until the necessary repairs could be made to ensure the safety of its visitors. While the town has committed to replacing the malfunctioning furnace and repairing the Zamboni machine, questions arose regarding the functionality of carbon monoxide detectors and the frequency of furnace inspections, to which the town has yet to respond.
The significance of this incident emphasizes the need for proactive safety measures in public facilities, particularly those catering to young athletes and their families. The Town of Wakaw is taking steps to address the issue and uphold safety standards, ensuring that the beloved arena will once again be a safe space for the community.
