TABER — The explosion that rocked a skating rink in southern Alberta was so powerful that it moved some walls, city officials said, although there were no reports of injuries.
The city of Taber confirmed in a press release that the explosion and subsequent fire at its community center Wednesday afternoon was the result of an explosion in the area of the Zamboni facility for the small ice arena, one of two skating rinks at the facility.
The center was evacuated and everyone was accounted for.
The report said a lot of glass was broken, interior walls were displaced from their original positions, concrete block walls were cracked and gas lines were damaged.
Both skating rinks, the curling club and the auditorium are currently closed, but the aquatics center remains open.
The facility's ammonia system was immediately isolated without any damage, the release said.
“Trained technicians are removing ammonia from the system as a precaution,” the city said in its latest update Wednesday.
“There is no ongoing threat to public safety.”
The city says its recreation officials don't yet know how skating, hockey, curling and other ice programs will be affected.
The department noted that the cause of the explosion is not clear.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 18, 2025.
