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Arena Roof Truss Rehabilitation
Arena Roof Truss Rehabilitation, Oshawa Children's Arena, Morrison Hershfield

Morrison Hershfield was retained to provide a “second opinion” on preliminary findings of calculated snow load overstress in the bowstring glulam roof trusses of the 50-year old Children's Arena in Oshawa, ON.  The arena had been closed under a municipal “unsafe” order resulting from a prior recommendation.  Morrison Hershfield was able to prepare a remedial structural design on an emergency fast-track basis, allowing the facility to re-open in time to save the hockey season.

Although the structure appeared to be in serviceable condition, calculated overstresses were found to be a result of high humidity levels that had deteriorated the glulam adhesive, a reduction in allowable wood stresses in today’s wood design standards, and recent changes to the Building Code design snow loads.  Original recommendations made by another consultant suggested major repairs that would have meant the loss of this facility for the remainder of the hockey season, if not permanently due to excessive cost.

In order to meet the client’s schedule goals, Morrison Hershfield selected repair materials for use in damp cold conditions, such that the ice surface would not need to be removed.     Additionally, Morrison Hershfield pre-qualified contractors in parallel with the design process, and partnered with the Chief Building Official and the successful bidder to undertake the repairs in three weeks, with no sacrifice in quality or durability.  The repairs were completed within budget, and on time to save the season.

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