A night of playoff hockey at the East Alton Ice Arena left several players and coaches feeling unwell following Monday’s games. By Tuesday morning, outside testing detected slightly elevated carbon monoxide levels in the building, though still below the alarm threshold. Public skating sessions were canceled while officials conducted safety checks, and the rink reopened later that afternoon. No one required hospitalization.
Testing and immediate response
According to The Telegraph, arena employees first relied on an on-site carbon monoxide detector after the complaints rolled in, but the device never activated. That prompted the rink to bring in an outside agency Tuesday morning to run more detailed air tests. Those tests showed “slightly raised” carbon monoxide levels that, as the paper notes, still would not have triggered the arena’s alarm system. The facility stayed closed until a little after 2 p.m. while staff placed a monitor, kept an eye on readings and confirmed the air was safe before reopening for scheduled events.
What local TV reported
Local TV coverage from KSDK noted that multiple players showed signs of sickness on Monday night and that the rink quickly posted a notice on social media while it shut down for testing. KSDK later updated its report on Wednesday morning with the latest details on the arena’s reopening and the safety measures being put in place.
How carbon monoxide problems happen at rinks
Carbon monoxide inside ice arenas is often traced to combustion equipment or ventilation issues, including ice-resurfacing machines or rooftop HVAC units. In a recent incident in Newington, Conn., a faulty rooftop HVAC system and a Zamboni were among the causes, according to NBC Boston. Even levels that do not trip alarms can lead to headaches, dizziness and nausea, and the EPA notes that symptoms depend on both concentration and how long someone is exposed, especially for children and people with heart or lung conditions. That background helps explain why East Alton arena staff chose to err on the side of caution and temporarily halt public sessions.
What the arena is doing next
Ice arena officials have placed a portable carbon monoxide monitor at the entrance and told reporters they plan to install a higher-grade monitoring system, The Telegraph reported. The East Alton Ice Arena is owned by the Village of East Alton and managed by a local nonprofit, according to the rink’s website, which also lists contact information for anyone checking on schedules. For now, staff say team events will continue as planned, while public skate sessions will resume only after the upgraded detection equipment is in place. Patrons with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the rink directly.
