
Summerside Dome ready for action again after technicians check it out
"A full precautionary safety check and inspection of the entire facility were conducted, and the dome was deemed safe for use on Tuesday evening," the city said in a news release.
"We sincerely appreciate the patience and understanding of our user groups and the community throughout this process," the city said.
The $5 million dome with its indoor turf field was opened three years ago to serve as a Canada Winter Games venue and has since been heavily relied on by local athletes.
The month of February was a turbulent one for the people of Summerside, who faced a series of power challenges because of a failure at Maritimes Electric's Sherbrooke substation.
The warnings that power could be scarce caused major businesses and city facilities to rely on generators at times to let Summerside Electric continue to supply homes with power and avoid rotating blackouts.
The dome also went to generator power to keeping pumping in the warm air that keeps the structure inflated.
But on the morning of Feb. 19, "there were some concerning moments" after the inflation system experienced a connection disruption, deputy chief administrative officer J.P. Desrosiers told CBC News.

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'Get out, get out, get out': Paradise evacuee recounts rushed evacuation
Business owner Rod Coward said he was doing a delivery for his tent rental company when his cell phone chimed with an evacuation order. He lives in the Three Island Pond area of Paradise, N.L. which was ordered to evacuate on Tuesday due to the nearby Paddy's Pond wildfire. "I had to dump off the gear as fast as I can, and then beat it back so I could get all my animals, my dogs and cats," Coward told CBC News. He said the evacuation order didn't surprise him. With the Paddy's Pond wildfire burning nearby, Coward said he was monitoring the fire and winds closely. "In my business, you're watching the winds all the time, and I could see that the wind was going to veer around to my place. So I knew it was coming pretty quickly," he said. "You could see plumes of smoke bellowing for kilometres." But after experiencing an evacuation order, Coward now advises anyone on an evacuation alert to be prepared — because evacuations happen quickly. 'Only had time to grab what you pre-packed' When Coward arrived back at his home to quickly gather his pets and belongings, he said police were already knocking on doors to ensure everyone was leaving. He said the streets were also blocked off at all access points. "There was no, 'Well, I need you out in half an hour.' It's, 'Go get your dogs, go get your cat, and get out.' There was no timeline other than right now," Coward said. He said his bag was packed, but he had to leave some of his business equipment and keepsakes behind. "There's a few things there that, in hindsight, I really wish that I had grabbed. But when the police were literally at the door — they were saying, 'Get out, get out, get out' — you really only had time to grab what you pre-packed and prepared, and jump and run," he said. Evacuation alerts Meanwhile, some other parts of Paradise, as well as parts of Conception Bay South, and the St. John's neighbourhoods of Southlands and Galway are all on evacuation alerts due to the Paddy's Pond fire. The town of Victoria is also under an evacuation alert due to the Kingston wildfire. In Paradise, the area on the south side of Topsail Road from the Outer Ring Road exit to the C.B.S. boundary is on an evacuation alert. In Conception Bay South, all properties east of Manuels River are on an evacuation alert. The provincial government advises that people need to be prepared with a basic emergency kit, including items such as food, water, batteries, a portable radio, important documents and prescription medications.


CBC
2 days ago
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All of Kananaskis Country under bear warning, some trails closed
Social Sharing With 17 bear advisories now in effect throughout the Bow Valley, Alberta Parks has issued a bear warning encompassing the entirety of Kananaskis Country. The bear warning, put into effect on Tuesday, comes after multiple reports of bear bluff charges and close encounters in popular parts of Kananaskis. Kananaskis Country, spanning more than 4,000 square kilometres of provincially managed land in southern Alberta, is home to many popular tourist destinations, including Grassi Lakes, Troll Falls and the Canmore Nordic Centre — all of which had bear advisories put in place during the last few months. In an interview with CBC News, Alberta Minister of Forestry and Parks Todd Loewen said there hasn't been a Kananaskis-wide warning like this since 2016. "This time of year in particular, the bears are feeding to fatten up for winter, so they're out foraging," he said. 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CBC
2 days ago
- CBC
When wildfires break out as nearly 400 athletes and staff get ready to push themselves to the limit
Wildfires have forced many people out of their homes in Newfoundland, but they've also led to multiple relocations and postponements for major sporting events in the Canada Games. Nicolle Derry is leading P.E.I.'s largest-ever team at the 2025 Canada Summer Games in St. John's, guiding nearly 400 athletes and staff. She talks to Louise Martin, host of CBC News: Compass.