Administration calls fire marshall's timing "suspicious"
Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Feb 07/01) - The City of Yellowknife may go to court to reopen Gerry Murphy arena after the fire marshall closed it Monday for public safety concerns.
"This came right out of the blue," said Tim Mercer, acting senior administrator for the city.
"We are considering appealing to the Supreme Court because it's our only alternative."
This winter's extra heavy snow load and warped, bow-string trusses that support the roof triggered fire marshall Don Gillis's decision.
"I identified some load factors including one truss that caused me concern," said Gillis.
"The city's own structural engineer advised the building be closed until he studied the structure's support."
Grant White, director of community services, insists that Gerry Murphy arena is not a safety risk.
"There's nothing that would make us believe there is a (safety) issue," said White.
Tony Burge, facility manager for the city, said the trusses have been warped for 25 years.
The city-hired engineer completed a survey of the arena on Tuesday, but the cost of recommended modifications may be too heavy for the city.
"It will be a significant cost," said Mercer.
He called the fire marshall's order a "departure" from the terms established during three years of dealing with the aged arena.
"He advised us to monitor the arena every four months but never once asked for the reports," said Mercer.
Groups that use the arena met Tuesday with city officials to work out a new schedule.
