Mar 28: Work is to start at Crescent Point Place on April 1 with the plan to finish by May 25, just in time for the 2017 Weyburn Oil and Gas Show.

Monday night, the city approved the tender for Independent Construction Management Inc. to complete work on the hockey rink lobby, which needs repairs after supports for the ceiling cracked earlier this year (see below).

Councillor Winston Bailey asked if the cause of the cracks is known, and interim city manager Jolene Tuchscherer said it was a combination of snow on top of the roof and the quality of the wood joists.

Councillor Dick Michel asked if a local business had put in a bid, and Tuchscherer said a Weyburn business had inquired about details but did not put in a proposal.

Michel also asked if the city would be footing the more than $93,000 bill, to which Tuchscherer clarified the total cost to the City of Weyburn will be a $5,000 deductible.

Councillor Jeff Chessall stressed the need to have repairs completed before the annual Oil and Gas Show, and Tuchscherer said that is the plan.

According to councillor Mel Van Betuw, more reinforcements will be added onto the beams that are not damaged as well, to help prevent this situation from happening again.

The city asks that during the construction phase, patrons avoid using the main entrance to Crescent Point Place. There are two alternate doors located on the north side of the building, and one located on the south side which provides the easiest access to Tom Zandee Arena.

Mar 27: The City of Weyburn is a few steps closer to repairing the lobby roof structure at Crescent Point Place.

After three wood joists supporting the ceiling cracked earlier this year, the area has remained mostly sectioned off until the hockey season wraps up.

A tender is being brought forward to council Monday night which is proposing the city accept the contract from Independent Construction Management Inc., out of Emerald Park, to complete the work.

This construction company proposed the lowest of three bids at $93,715, and was suggested by the structural engineering firm Brownlee Beaton Kreke Ltd., out of Regina, which assessed the hockey rink's lobby.

Work could start as early as April 3, if council approves the tender.

At that time, the joists will be removed and replaced with new lumber that will hold adequate weight. As well, new columns would be put in and the existing columns would be relocated.

Until work can be begin, facility staff continues to monitor the crack to ensure it doesn't grow.

The roof of the lobby is more than 50 years old but City of Weyburn staff said age may not be the reason for three wood joists cracking.