Civic complex reopens; city offices run by generator

Puddles of water on the cement pad are what's left of the ice surface inside the Ed Lumley Arena on Monday, May 13, 2019. The ice was lost over the weekend after a catastrophic electrical failure following a transformer fire. (Newswatch Group/Bill Kingston)

Update 2:30 p.m.: City says all services within the Cornwall Civic Complex now open to the public. The Aquatic Center is still closed.

CORNWALL – A large generator is powering the city offices at the Cornwall Civic Complex after a transformer fire Friday crippled the building’s power supply.

As of 2:30 p.m. all amenities within the Cornwall Civic Complex, including the main office, walking track, meeting rooms and other building facilities were available to the public, according to Cornwall Public Information Officer Emma Meldrum.

A Toromont Power Systems 2,000 kilowatt diesel-power generator was moved into place at the back of the building.

The city departments who have office space inside the building include city purchasing, planning, building and bylaw, economic development, finance, IT and the box office.

A large generator runs behind the Cornwall Civic Complex on Monday, May 13, 2019. The building lost all power on Friday after a transformer fire. City offices are running but the rest of the building is not. (Newswatch Group/Bill Kingston)

The ice in the Ed Lumley Arena already melted over the weekend and the Aquatic Center pool will have to be drained due to health regulations. The water has not been circulating since Friday afternoon.

The status of rentals of the convention center and the civic complex salons is not known.

With a transformer that’s over 40 years old, it could be some time before the city gets parts to make the needed repairs.

City officials have not been immediately available for comment.