State Officials Discussed Snow Buildup Before Roof Collapse At Canton Rink
CANTON (CBS) – State officials discussed the snow buildup at a Canton skating rink before the partial roof collapse occurred Saturday morning, sources told WBZ.
It was 6:45 a.m. when police and fire crews got the call that the roof collapsed at Metropolis Skating Rink on Washington Street. Town officials, including the Board of Selectmen, also provided assistance at the scene, according to the Town of Canton website.
The apparent cause: heavy, built-up snow that finally brought down part of the structure.
No one was hurt during the incident.
Metropolis Skating Rink is one of 42 owned by the state.
Sources tell WBZ that the rink is owned by the state but leased to Canton. Under terms of the lease, the town is responsible for maintenance and operations.
Some parents of hockey players say there may have been warning signs, and they wonder if the collapse could have been prevented if the roof was cleared of all of the snow.
"There was water leaking into the locker rooms. You could see that," said parent Alberto Vigevani. "The town should have taken the initiative, knowing and seeing how much snow was on top of the roof and they should have cleared it.
"This never would have happened."
A source says there was a meeting Friday between state Department of Conservation and Recreation staff, the rink manager and others about the snow buildup at the Canton rink. There was said to be an acknowledgement that there was an immediate need to address the situation.
But, Saturday morning before the roof came down hockey teams were allowed into the building.
"It's a scary thing," said coach Kevin Martone. "This rink is used all the time by a lot of people. Kids and families are in there all the time."
Preliminary assessments of the facility indicate approximately 25 percent of the building was impacted, according to the town's website.
"The rink will be closed until further notice," reads a statement on the site. "The Town intends to keep the public fully informed via supplemental informational postings on the Town of Canton."
