The roof of a skating rink at the IJzeren Man in Vught collapsed on Saturday afternoon. It concerns a tent in which the temporary ice rink is located. No people were injured, but the damage is extensive.
The skating rink was open at the time of the collapse. A few children who were skating were taken off the ice in time.
“The roof started to crack. One of the guys who works here got everyone off the ice,” says Karin van de Ven of the IJzeren Man. “We’re sick of it. It’s a sour start to the new year.”
On Saturday afternoon, staff tried their best to save what could be saved. They use brooms to try to remove snow from the part of the roof that has not yet collapsed.
Covered, but not completely closed
IJM’s Winter Paradise, of which the skating rink is part, consists of three covered tents. Due to hassle with the permit, the tent that has now collapsed was not completely closed.
The Iron Man insisted on having the tents covered, because the ice would melt too quickly without a cover, Van de Ven previously said. Dtv News.
Because a closed tent is regarded as a structure by the municipality of Vught, an additional permit had to be applied for. “We told the municipality that there is a risk of collapse in such a situation,” sighs Van de Ven. “If three sides are open, the tent is less stable.”
‘This is a natural disaster’
The skating rink had been open since early December and would be open until next weekend. Van de Ven fears that the insurance will not cover the damage. “This is a natural disaster. I haven’t fully delved into it yet, but you are not insured against that.”
It is the first time that the Vught ice rink is located at the IJzeren Man. Last year, a foundation stopped organizing a winter event in the center of the village, partly due to rising costs and a shortage of volunteers.
The municipality of Vught has allowed the IJzeren Man to organize a winter event on the grounds of the recreation park for at least the next five years.
