Elliot Lake cancels programs at arena, pool, and hall after last night's roof collapse

ELLIOT LAKE - The City of Elliot Lake has issued notice that programs at other municipal buildings are being put on hold.

CAO Dan Gagnon issued the notice this morning following the partial collapse of the roof at the Lester B. Pearson Civic Centre Thursday evening. There were no injuries in the roof collapse.

“Programs and events in the Centennial Arena, Municipal Pool and Collins Hall are cancelled temporarily until crews can complete snow removal from the roof at each facility,” Gagnon said in the public notice. “This is being done as a precaution to safeguard public safety.”

The collapse happened around 6:30 p.m. Thursday evening when the roof area over the 340-seat theatre auditorium caved in.

Murray Finn was in the theatre portion with two other people preparing for a dress rehearsal of the play “Shorthanded” that was set to open this evening. According to Finn, 200 tickets were sold for the play’s opening performance.

“Shorthanded” is a play being staged by ELATE (Elliot Lake Amateur Theatre Ensemble) and the dress rehearsal was set to start at 7 p.m.

Assessments of the damage are underway. There could be damage to the studios and museum in the basement of the centre after reports of considerable water leakage resulting from the roof collapse.

Finn said organizers will honor all tickets sold for the play and will attempt to find another venue to host it.

- ElliotLakeToday.com