Mould concerns close Pad 2 at Scugog Arena

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Mould concerns close Pad 2 at Scugog Arena

Humid weather blamed for fungus growth; Township expects report on

problem Friday

Durham region news - Toronto,Ontario,Canada

http://www.durhamregion.com/dr/regions/scugog/story/3601247p-

4162771c.html

Jul 20, 2006

By Hall

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PORT PERRY -- Township officials are anxiously awaiting a series of

reports expected Friday which will help them determine how exactly

to deal with a mould problem which has closed the second ice pad at

the Scugog Arena.

According to Sellars, the municipality's parks, recreation and

culture director, mould was first discovered in the area of the new

ice pad around the end of June when staff proceeded to remove the

ice for the season.

A small patch of mould was first noticed on the drywall near the

dressing rooms at that time and, since then, it " has proliferated so

far... that it's beyond our ability " to remedy, said Mr. Sellars.

Hot, humid weather, combined with the fact the ice-plant was shut

down, led to the arrival of the fungus, explained the director.

" In about a day-and-a-half there was more mould then we could manage

ourselves, " said Mr. Sellars, noting the municipality dealt with a

small mould problem in the arena on its own last summer.

As a result, the Township has commissioned a consultant specializing

in environmental matters to co-ordinate remediation proposals. As

well, the municipality has been in touch with an engineering firm,

who is working on an assessment of what needs to be done, either

mechanically or inside the Reach Street facility itself, to

eliminate the mould.

Those reports are expected to be in Mr. Sellars' hands on Friday,

when he hopes to assess the situation in more detail. From there,

the director plans on meeting with senior municipal staff on Monday

and look at funding options. Members of council are aware of the

problem, he added.

Mr. Sellars could provide no cost estimates on Thursday, noting the

municipality has yet to figure out what work needs to be carried out.

" We just had a bad, bad break, with it being very humid and taking

the ice out, " said Mr. Sellars, noting the only way the Township

could have possibly avoided such a situation would have been to take

out the ice in April when the weather was cooler.

As for health concerns, the director noted that Pad 2 has been

closed to the public.

" Most mould would not affect most people, but on the off chance that

someone has a sensitivity (to the fungus) we've closed Pad 2 so

there would be no adverse affects, " he said.