Arena Structures to Be Assessed

The Sport and Recreation Commission, Dalhousie University’s Department of Civil Engineering and the Recreation Facility Association of Nova Scotia are collaborating on a program to assess the safety of arena structures in Nova Scotia.

“This program is all about public safety in Nova Scotia arenas,’ said Sport and Recreation Minister Rodney MacDonald. “It’s also an excellent hands-on learning opportunity for engineering students.”

Mr. MacDonald announced the program today as he opened the 10th annual conference of the Recreation Facility Association of Nova Scotia at the Wandlyn Inn in Kentville.

The Provincial Arena Structural Safety Assessment program will alert arena operators about any potential structural problems.

“Over the next several years, under the guidance of their professors and Sport and Recreation Commission staff, students from the Civil Engineering Department will inspect facilities throughout the province, and provide recommendations where necessary,” Mr. MacDonald said.

Though not directly responsible for arenas, the commission will facilitate the assessment program and encourage owners to evaluate the integrity of their structures. Of the 78 arenas operating in the province, approximately two-thirds were built in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The Recreation Facility Association of Nova Scotia will promote the assessment program to its membership and encourage responsible facility management.

Under the guidance of Dr. Farid Taheri, head of the Department of Civil Engineering of Dalhousie University, and Professor Jane Thorburn, the students will be responsible for:

• on-site inspection and evaluation of the structures.

• studying engineering drawings of the structures (where available) and comparing them to the “as built” details.

• engineering evaluation of the structural members as specified by the supervisor. This task will include analytical calculations as well as computer-aided analysis.

• comparing the building code used in the original structural design with the present building code. This task will include a critical review of the codes in relation with structural loading.

• report writing, including: preparing an engineering report; summarizing inspection findings; calculating; and producing drawings and schematics.

The students, under senior student Edward Surette, will be expected to attend regular progress meetings with designated supervisors; David Molloy, the Sport and Recreation Commission’s co-ordinator of facility development; and other officials as deemed necessary.

The assessment program will help arena owners assess the integrity of their arena structures, and hopefully prevent incidents such as the failure of the Springhill arena roof earlier this year.

Mr. MacDonald said the Provincial Arenas Structural Safety Assessment is an excellent example of government, educational institutions and community organizations collaborating on a mutually beneficial project that also contributes to the safety and well-being of Nova Scotians.