A hockey-loving town in southern Alberta is facing an $11 million rebuild after a Zamboni explosion destroyed its only two ice rinks.
Derrin Thibault, Taber’s chief administrative officer, said the town council approved $6.2 million to reconstruct the larger rink, which suffered shattered walls in the December blast. An additional $5 million is needed to restore the second rink and other damaged sections of the Taber Community Centre.
Officials confirmed the explosion was caused by a leaking Zamboni ignited by a nearby electric heater. The resulting fireball blew out glass, collapsed concrete walls, damaged the roof, and ruptured gas lines.
The town has requested $8 million in federal funding for facility upgrades.