The Town of Taber’s facilities management and operations team has formally assumed command of the Community Centre incident, marking the end of the emergency response phase.
In a statement, the town thanked “Fire, Police, EMS, and all emergency responders for their professionalism and work during the emergency response phase of this incident.”
Town officials said the initial fire investigation has been completed, but a third-party investigation and insurance reviews are ongoing. There is still no confirmed cause of the explosion.
“We understand the community is eager for answers, and we want those answers as much as anyone,” the statement read. “Once information is confirmed and can be shared publicly, the Town will release it.”
Officials said speculation about the cause of the explosion is not helpful to the investigation and could be harmful to the mental well-being of town staff and the broader community.
“We ask for continued patience while investigations continue. These investigations must be carried out carefully and thoroughly to ensure accurate conclusions, and they cannot be rushed.”
Safety inspections and assessments are continuing. Occupational Health and Safety officers have attended the site and remain in contact with town crews. Structural engineers have completed a preliminary assessment and reported no current safety concerns with the roof or primary structural elements.
The building is considered safe enough for engineers and specialists to enter, but it remains closed to the public because of debris, damage and hazardous materials.
Cleanup and recovery efforts are expected to take time. Debris removal must be completed before more detailed assessments can proceed.
Officials said about 75 per cent of the ammonia has been safely removed from the facility, with the remainder scheduled for removal as a precaution.
Vermiculite containing asbestos has been identified, which is reported to be common in buildings constructed in the 1970s. The town said it is following all Occupational Health and Safety regulations, including required asbestos abatement procedures.
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There is no estimated timeline for repairs or reopening. Facilities management is working with insurance providers, cleanup crews and third-party experts to determine next steps once debris removal is complete.
Town officials have contacted leaseholders affected by the closure, as well as ice user groups impacted by the loss of ice time.
Town staff also acknowledged an outpouring of support from Taber and surrounding communities. Several Alberta municipalities have offered ice time in their own rinks to support Taber user groups, which the town said is deeply appreciated.
Officials said offers of donations and volunteers have also been received, but they are not needed at this time. Daily updates will no longer be provided as the response moves into the recovery phase, though an update schedule is being developed and officials said they remain committed to sharing information as key milestones are reached.
