The roof of a historic gym used by hundreds of kids each week for recreational programs has collapsed under the weight of waterlogged snow, leaving behind a huge hole in the community of New Westminster.

The 10,000-square-foot city-owned Arenex in Queen's Park plays host to activities including gymnastics, trampoline, ball hockey and indoor soccer.

Mayor Jonathan Cote, whose young daughters also use the popular gym, says the collapse will have a major impact.

"This is devastating for the community. This is one of the most well-used facilities in New Westminster so this is going to be a big loss,” he told CTV Morning Live.

Cote said the city is going to reach out to area schools to see if there is any room in their gyms to temporarily host the Arenex's sports clubs and programs, which attract hundreds of participants.

A new roof was put on the 1938 building just two years ago. One theory behind the collapse is because the new roof has insulation, the snow didn't melt as fast as it would have in the past, said Cote.

About 80 per cent of the building is destroyed, and it's unlikely that the building can be saved, according to fire officials. Crews will salvage what they can before the building is demolished.

Firefighters were called late Monday night after staff reported hearing cracking and creaking noises coming from the roof.

After discovering a large crack in one of the main ceiling beams, crews evacuated the building and turned off the utilities.

Officials decided to wait until morning before venturing out onto the roof to clear the snow, but by 10 p.m. the roof collapsed.

Thankfully no one was inside and no one was injured.

"It could have been catastrophic," said New Westminster Fire Chief Tim Armstrong.

"Sometimes we have upwards of 200 kids doing gymnastics in the building. It was very lucky it was empty at the time and that it happened when it did."

The city says it will be reaching out to facility users about alternate arrangements when information becomes available.

With some areas getting a foot of snow followed by overnight rain, roof collapses could be a problem around Metro Vancouver.

Roofing companies are getting flooded with calls to deal with problems ranging from snow removal to leaks.

With a report from CTV Morning Live’s Nafeesa Karim