MARYSTOWN, N.L. — A recent anonymous tip has resulted in an unanticipated $8,236.25 renovation bill at Kaetlyn Osmond Arena in Marystown.
According to finance committee chair Coun. Andy Edwards, that’s considerably less than it could have cost.
During council’s meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 19, Edwards indicated Fire Chief Alex Coady, the Town of Marystown’s manager of emergency services, was informed by the fire commissioner’s office in late January a call had come in regarding a safety concern at the facility.
The commissioner’s office was told the canteen area at the arena was operating without a proper kitchen fire suppression and ventilation system, Edwards said. Coady was asked to inspect the issue, and it was ultimately determined the system was indeed not up to standards.
As such, the fire commissioner’s office ordered the deep fryers shut down, Edwards said, adding the decision came just before a tournament at the facility.
The order caused Mudder Pucks, which operates the canteen at the rink, to adapt their menu, Edwards added.
Normally, it would cost in excess of $20,000 to buy the system new, not including installation, Edwards explained. However, recreation director Rob Warr was able to find a used system for $4,370 that was just six month’s old from a company in St. John’s.
“It’s in mint condition,” Edwards said.
The total cost for the upgrades, including other necessary materials, an inspection and to make the system operational, is $8,236.25, HST included. Town workers would complete the installation, Edwards indicated.
Council approved the unbudgeted expenditure during the meeting, with money allocated from surplus funds.
While unexpected, Edwards suggested it was a good thing in the long run because the arena now will have the updated equipment.
“This may have been a small bump in the road. It was intended to be a bigger bump in the road, I think, but it was a small bump in the road, and now we’ve fixed it,” Edwards said.
paul.herridge@southerngazette.ca
