The University of Calgary has closed the Olympic Oval until Aug. 1 while repairs to the aging facility’s roof are completed.
The almost $10 million worth of refurbishment to the 1988 Winter Olympics skating facility will see roofing panels removed and repaired while insulation is replaced. The repairs aim to fix a leaking roof, a safety issue for users.
Olympic Oval co-director Catriona Le May Doan said in a press release it was “exciting” to see work begin on the repairs.
The federal government announced in November 2010 that because of the urgency of the problems, the Oval would be able to access needed funds immediately from Canada’s Olympic endowment fund, instead of relying on interest payments.
The building is now closed to the public and speed skaters. The school hopes to have the Oval in operation in time for the 2011-2012 speed skating season.