Public Statement – December 17, 2024

Commencing in April 2023, the Township of Cavan Monaghan (“Township”) conducts annual inspections of the Millbrook Arena (“Arena”) located at 4 Needlers Lane, Millbrook, Ontario to test for the presence of mould and evaluate airborne mould levels. The purpose of this testing is to ensure the Arena is safe for use by the public and Township employees.

On September 13, 2024, Cambium Inc. (“Cambium”) provided a report setting out the results of the 2024 sampling event for two locations in the Arena (the “Cambium Report”). The results revealed an increase in airborne mould levels as compared to the April 2023 testing results.

As a precautionary approach to protect the health and safety of the Arena patrons and Township employees, the Township closed the Arena to the public on October 18, 2024, until Cambium could perform more extensive testing, including in the areas rented for sports use. A key element of this decision related to the potential health risks of permit sports teams, in recognition that children and youth are a sensitive population.  The Township sought, and received, legal advice prior to closing the Arena to the public.

After the closure decision, the Township immediately retained Cambium to perform a Mould Assessment and conduct additional air and bulk sampling throughout the Arena, including the areas used for sports teams. Cambium completed the additional testing and provided a report setting out the results of the Mould Assessment on December 6, 2024 (the “Cambium Mould Assessment”). The Cambium Mould Assessment found extensive mould growth across building materials and surfaces, as well as high airborne mould spore concentrations. Cambium stated that based on the laboratory results and findings of potentially allergenic, toxigenic, or pathogenic mould, the risk to general occupants and workers is high.

The Cambium Mould Assessment recommended implementing risk management actions to prevent potential exposure and adverse health effects to individuals accessing the Arena and a plan to remediate the mould impacts. Cambium also recommended preventing access to the Arena until remediation is complete and further sampling indicates the Arena is safe for occupants. Council did not support a remediation plan and therefore the motion of June 2023 is the direction in place.

Based on the findings to protect the health and safety of the public and Township employees, the Arena will remain closed.

For additional details about sampling results and recommended risk management actions, see the Cambium Mould Assessment dated December 6, 2024, and the Regular Council Report to Mayor and Council dated December 16, 2024, Parks and Facilities 2024-05.