THUNDER BAY – Another bubble has burst in Thunder Bay.
And like the former Sports Dome, it’s also not coming back.
Confederation College president Kathleen Lynch on Thursday was notified that the 44-year-old indoor bubble sports facility had collapsed under the weight of the overnight snowfall, adding the facility was scheduled to be torn down anyway in January.
Still, the collapse came as a surprise, she said on Friday morning.
“It was the weight of the snowfall and the weight all at once,” Lynch confirmed, the deflated dome covered in snow behind her.
“We had some issues last year with partial (collapse), but just that load took it down – most of it.”
Because the bubble and the old fitness centre were scheduled for demolition anyway, Lynch said the collapse likely won’t cost the college any money.
In fact, it might save on heating and energy costs.
It’s time had come, Lynch said.
“We’ve got to remember, the bubble was established in 1975. It’s done its duty. I say, adios. It was a good facility while we had it, but the last number of years we’ve had issues just because of the age. We’ve tried to repair it, but it’s really not salvageable,” Lynch said.
The facility had been rented out by a private organization until last spring, when college officials decided to close it for good.
No one was hurt in the collapse.
