2020 has struck again. Rogers Place, one of two restart arenas slated to be used for the NHL playoffs, flooded on Thursday.
A severe thunderstorm rumbled through Edmonton pummeling the city dime-sized hail, torrential rainfall, and flash flooding, according to the Edmonton Sun.
Rogers Place’s entrance off 104th Avenue flooded. The building also had other leaks inside.
Video
What the fuck happened to Rogers Place no no no no no pic.twitter.com/LKqaU1YxaV
— Zain (@ZainL96) July 16, 2020
Here’s another look.
Thankfully, not much in the way of water pooling inside the Rogers Place foyer, but still a mess. #yeg #yegwx #yegstorm #abstorm pic.twitter.com/qJrzoslSOe
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) July 17, 2020
Edmonton is one of two bubble cities hosting the NHL’s 24-team playoff. Edmonton will also host the Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Final.
The Oilers Entertainment Group released a statement and were “confident” the arena will be ready for the start of the NHL’s exhibition games on July 28.
“A significant storm came through Edmonton earlier this evening,” it said. “As a result, Rogers Place has suffered some water damage to the terminus of Ford Hall, along with some smaller leaks in other parts of the building. We are assessing the damage and at this time are confident that it will not hamper our planning and preparation and we will be ready to host the return of NHL hockey as a hub city. We will share more information as it becomes available.”
Statement from Rogers Place pic.twitter.com/vR4VP5qPhG
— Mark Spector (@SportsnetSpec) July 17, 2020
Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston added this report.
A well-placed source confirms there has been some flooding at Rogers Place in Edmonton tonight. It's believed to be affecting a foyer off the entrance way of the plaza.
The extent of the damage is still unclear.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 17, 2020
The initial hope is there will be plenty of time to clean this up before the NHL's planned restart in the building. The first scheduled event there is a CGY/EDM exhibition game on July 28.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 17, 2020
We should get a better indication in the morning about the extent of the clean-up job required at Rogers Place in Edmonton due to flooding.
Again, the initial feeling is that it won't disrupt the planned restart in the NHL's Western Conference hub city in any meaningful way.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 17, 2020
But this is 2020, so. pic.twitter.com/EdoFzRBCYa
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 17, 2020
Geez. Next, you’re going to tell me a squirrel contracted the bubonic plague.
[Gets tapped on the shoulder and someone whispers in my ear.]Oh. I’m being told that actually happened. I’m so over this year.
Alzner's out, Hotel X, Crosby doesn't want sex
Simmons said "Auston's sick", placeholder team got first pick
Friedman's beard, Brock's staying, not sure if they'll end up playing
Zero fans, salary caps, ROGERS PLACE ROOF COLLAPSE— g (@wholegrainne) July 17, 2020
Screenshot courtesy of @ZainL96
