‘Minor’ ammonia leak closes City of Coquitlam recreation centre
Posted September 17, 2018 4:57 pm.
Last Updated September 17, 2018 6:25 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
COQUITLAM (NEWS 1130) — A recreation centre in Coquitlam has re-opened after a “minor” ammonia leak forced it to shut down Monday afternoon.
Kathleen Vincent with the city said the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex had to be evacuated and a hazmat team from Coquitlam Fire and Rescue was called in to investigate. She said a mechanical failure is likely to blame, but crews continue to investigate.
RELATED: Fatal ammonia leak at Fernie Memorial Arena ‘first of its kind’: report
“There is no one hurt in the incident and there is no danger to the neighbouring properties,” Vincent told NEWS 1130. “All the other recreation facilities in that area remain open.”
All registered programs for Monday were cancelled, but the Fitness and Aquatic Centres re-opened for public use at 6 p.m.
“Luckily we have some pretty good protocols in place so it was an early alarm and staff sprung into action immediately to ensure the safety of the facility and the patrons,” she said.
RELATED: Employers didn’t protect workers’ safety in fatal ammonia leak: WorkSafeBC
Last October, three workers were killed in an ammonia leak at a recreation centre in Fernie, prompting an investigation by WorkSafeBC into the use and safety of ammonia at B.C. recreation centres.
