Two ice rinks closed in Attleboro after discovery of black mold
New England Sports Village in Attleboro is home to three ice rinks, hosting hockey games, tournaments, practice sessions and public ice skating.
Recently, people who use the facility spotted something that left them worried.
“I saw the images and I’ve been to the rink, there is black mold on those two rinks, on the walls,” said Sheri Miller Bedau, a Deputy Health Agent for Attleboro.
The discovery by the Health Department quickly led to an inspection.
“We sent out one of our inspectors to go investigate, and he told us that two of the rinks had the de-humidifiers that weren’t working properly,” continued Bedau. “And when the de humidifiers shut down, it created a fog and the walls to sweat, thus creating the mold.”
The Health Department ordered two of the three rinks to be shut down while the New England Sports Village staff works to fix the problem.
Some parents, who did not want to go on camera, are asking for the entire facility to be closed.
“My hope would be the is that they shut the place down completely and get a company in there that gets rid of all of the mold and make it safe for the kids and the public,” said a parent who wishes to be anonymous.
Management of the facility sent the following statement to NBC 10:
“Upon receiving the notification, NESV management promptly assessed the situation. Our immediate and thorough investigation revealed no major public safety concerns. To ensure the highest standards of safety and transparency, we are actively collaborating with the respective departments in Attleboro town and the state to complete their independent investigation. We want to assure you that the beautiful ice hockey rink, which we all take great pride in, remains open and fully operational. The health and safety of our visitors and community are our top priorities, and we are committed to maintaining a safe environment for everyone.”