Alberni Valley Multiplex Shut Down Until Further Notice

Technical Safety BC has ordered that the Alberni Valley Multiplex remain closed until further notice.

City staff, contractors and Technical Safety BC inspectors worked through the evening of November 6th and into the early morning of November 7th to repair what is now classified as a cracked weld on a manufactured flange. After the crack was repaired, while conducting a pre-service pressure test of the system, a second crack was discovered.

“It is disappointing to see the Multiplex close during its peak season,” said Tim Pley, Chief Administrative Officer with the City of Port Alberni. “The City was proactive in replacing the Multiplex’s aging ice plant and to be faced with a closure in the new system’s first year of service is frustrating. However, the public’s safety is the City’s top priority.”

The Alberni Valley Multiplex will remain closed pending further testing and repair of the ice plant’s refrigeration system. Due to the time required to re-install ice in the Multiplex’s two rinks, the facility closure is expected to last a minimum of one week and possibly longer depending on the outcome of testing and repair of the system.

“The City of Port Alberni regrets the inconvenience that this service interruption has caused. We thank those affected for their patience and understanding while we work to repair the system in a safe and timely way,” concluded Mr. Pley.

The low-level ammonia leak was first detected on Sunday, November 3rd. The City’s qualified recreation facility staff has been working around the clock with Technical Safety BC, WorkSafe BC and Accent Refrigeration Systems to address the problems to get the facility up and running as soon as possible.

The City’s new ice plant system was installed in April 2019 and is under a ten-year warranty.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Tim Pley
CAO, City of Port Alberni
250-720-2824
timothy_pley@portalberni.ca