Wentworth Sports Complex closed until next season due to fire damage

The Wentworth Sports Complex in Hamilton that closed down late last month after a fire won’t reopen its doors until at least next year.

The damages caused by a fire that started within the facility on Sept. 29 forced the complex to shut down indefinitely, leaving multiple sports programs without a home.

The fire started after a spark from a contractor’s work on the building spread to a Zamboni, igniting it in flames.

First responders arrived at around 9:30 a.m. to safely evacuate several workers that were inside at the time.

Inspectors noted that the smoke had filled the building and a “well involved structure fire” was took place on the west side of the complex.

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“Given the presence of ammonia for ice making and propane for the Zamboni(s) the alarm was upgraded to a full Hazardous Materials Response,” said Hamilton Fire Chief Dave Cunliffe after firefighters put out the flames.

Owner of the sports complex Duncan Macintosh says he has begun the clean up of the building as well as assessing the full extent of the damage.

“We’re sort of thinking it’s going to be three quarters on smoke and remediation work, and then a quarter on structural stuff…but it’s going to have a lot of zeroes to it,” said Macintosh.

The owner told CHCH News that he will have a better understanding about the overall damage in about a month, but plans to reopen the complex by next season.