Winter Storm Damages Arena Roof
Jordan Morningstar, Bureau Chief
Goodlands Bureau
Violent winter storms lashed at the Goodlands Arena last night, ripping apart one section of the building’s metal-clad roof.
Area rancher Manny Cooper said he heard a loud bang around 3 a.m. “I thought ‘what’s that noise’? and worried that it might be the horses.”
“Thankfully, it was just the rink. If it was my horses, I might actually give a damn.”
Cooper had cause for concern: his main paddock sits next to the arena, where the horse would have had little protection from falling roof debris.
Newly elected coucillor Sandy Johnson dispatched her husband early this morning to install a temporary patch while new roof pieces are on order.
“No one really drives 50 (km/h) on the market road, so we just took down the speed limit sign and naild’er on there” explained Tom Johnson as he completed the repair. “I’m kinda surprised that there wasn’t more damage. (The arena) was built before we even had electricity around here. I’d say the old girl’s held up pretty well over the years.”
Officials do not expect the damage to disrupt the annual Goodlands Mixed Curling Bonspiel on January 19-20th of this year. Anyone interested in entering a team or sponsoring the event can call Joanne.