Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 15, 1993 TAG: 9305150038
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MAG POFF STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Right now, a contractor is clearing away the debris from the March 14 collapse of the arena's roof under 16 inches of snow.
Brabham said shortly after the cave-in that he would never rebuild the arena, but Friday he was full of optimism about the future of the entire sports complex.
He said girders and other debris from the arena should be removed by the end of next week. That should reveal the extent of damage to the floor.
Reconstruction depends on discussions and coordination with the insurance company, banks and building officials, Brabham said.
He is negotiating with the insurance company over whether the bleachers can be saved. Brabham said the company wants him to reset the bleachers, while he believes they must be replaced.
His plan is to build a much smaller arena. Brabham said it will be two stories instead of three and have fewer than the 3,250 seats in the old one.
The actual size of the replacement arena, he said, "depends on the insurance company."
And the future of the Roanoke Valley's only public ice skating depends on the condition of the floor after removal of the debris.
The ice-making equipment survived the collapse and was drained of freon that day. "I'm hoping the floor wasn't hurt," Brabham said. If it wasn't, public ice skating will be available.
Meanwhile, he plans to open the adjacent fitness center about June 15.
He said he has spent $75,000 installing a sprinkler system there to meet the present building code. That wasn't a requirement when the complex opened in 1984.
New and lower weight loads have been set for the upper floors.
The fitness center building also contains an indoor pool and a restaurant.
This summer, Brabham said, he will add an outdoor pool at the premises on Vinyard Road in Vinton, so that it will have two pools.
The roof gave way on March 13, during the final home game of the since-departed Roanoke Valley Rampage hockey team. Everyone evacuated safely, and the roof collapsed early the next morning.
Officials said that snow from a 16-inch blizzard had blown and drifted to the southeast end of the roof, which could not take the extra load.
by CNB