City of Fernie gets access to arena where 3 workers died of ammonia leak

FERNIE, B.C. - The City of Fernie has regained access to the community's memorial arena for the first time since an ammonia leak killed three people last fall.

The RCMP, WorksafeBC and Technical Safety BC took charge of the site while they investigated the leak that killed two city workers and a contractor from Alberta while they worked on the ice rink's refrigeration unit on Oct. 17.

The investigation continues but the city says staff can now enter the Fernie Memorial Arena and begin assessing the damage.

The city says in a release that regaining access is the first step to having an arena operational in time for next winter, after a new refrigeration plant is installed.

Mayor Mary Giuliano said earlier this month that she'd like the arena to return to normal operations as soon as possible.

Wayne Hornquist and Lloyd Smith, both of Fernie, and Jason Podloski of Turner Valley, Alta., were killed when the toxic gas leaked. (CHBZ, The Canadian Press)

• 

  Hundreds gathered in Fernie, B.C. on Sunday, Nov. 12 to pay tribute to three men who died during an ammonia leak at a local hockey arena last month.