Asbestos found in Wallaceburg arena

wallaceburg memorial arena

Staff says there is no need to worry, after traces of asbestos was found in Wallaceburg Memorial Arena.

Jane McGee, manager of the arena, says 30 per cent of the chrysotile flooring in the upper mezzanine area of the arena contains asbestos.

She said testing was conducted when they decided they wanted to replace the floor with rolled flooring.

“We’d like to change the floor, it’s old, we’re having difficulty keeping it clean,” she said. “In order to get the new, we need to remove the old.”

Staff has included the work on a list for the 2014 arenas capital asset lifecycle projects.

The staff reports says with the presence of asbestos in the existing flooring, a “type three removal program” must be
performed.

The cost is estimated at $25,000. The new flooring installation is estimated to cost $22,750.

Council is set to vote on these projects, along with a handful of other arena projects across the municipality totaling $613,646 at tonight’s council meeting.

McGee said during the asbestos testing at the arena, the mezzanine floor was the only spot where any traces were found.

Pending the approval from council, McGee said the crew would block off that area of the arena while the work and clean-up was done.

“It isn’t anything for people to worry about” she said.

McGee added, pending council approval for the project, professionals would be brought it to handle the “safe removal” of the flooring.

In the same report, staff is also recommending that Dresden Arena receive about $40,000 worth upgrades as well.

- Advertisment -