[Updated, 5:40 p.m.] Veterans Memorial Ice Skating Rink in West Hartford was evacuated Saturday afternoon due to a leak in the refrigeration system, but re-opened later in the day.

By Ronni Newton

Shortly before the Conard boys hockey team took to the ice for a scheduled 1 p.m. game against E.O. Smith-Tolland on Saturday, alarms sounded and Veterans Memorial Ice Skating Rink was evacuated.

Veterans Memorial RInk in West Hartford is evacuated early Saturday afternoon due to an ammonia leak. Photo credit: Marlon Pitter

“We were on scene for an ammonia leak in the refrigeration system,” West Hartford Fire Department Battalion Chief John Sokolowski said Saturday afternoon.

Sokolowski said that crews responded after the alarm went off, and evacuated the building. The incident happened shortly before 12:30 p.m.

A refrigeration company was called to the scene, and by 2 p.m. had isolated the leak and begun making repairs, Sokolowski said.

The rink manager said it would be “at least a few more hours” before repairs could be completed and the public would be allowed back inside the facility.

A message will be posted on the Veterans Memorial Ice Skating Rink website when the rink reopens. Updated information is also available by calling 860-561-8290.

The hockey game has been rescheduled and will be played at Veterans Memorial Skating Rink at 7:30 p.m.

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West Hartford FIre Department responds after an ammonia leak triggers an alarm at Veterans Memorial Ice Skating Rink. Photo credit: Marlon Pitter