Fortunately no one was in the building when the roof collapsed and so there were no injuries. (Image Credit: Facebook/ Smeaton Rec Centre)

By Nigel Maxwell

Terrible loss

‘It’s a terrible blow for the community’: Smeaton suffers roof collapse at community hub

Mar 31, 2026 | 11:49 AM

A small community northeast of Prince Albert is reeling after losing the building that houses their skating and curling rinks and community hall.

 Sometime overnight the building, in Smeaton suffered a roof collapse.

“Its a terrible blow for the community,” Mayor Lyle White told paNOW. “In these small towns you know a new building is in the millions of dollars and we just don’t have millions of dollars.”

A view of the damage after a roof collapse in Smeaton. The building houses their hockey and curling rinks and community hall. This video was submitted to me. pic.twitter.com/1TmCHE8LQR

— Nigel Maxwell (@NigelMaxwell) March 31, 2026

The cause remains under investigation by the adjuster however White said the rafters are over 50 years old.

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“In that environment of wet ground, wet moisture with the ice and stuff, there could be rotten rafters in there too,” he explained.

The building covers one square acre, and White explained the roof over the ice surface was what fell in and where the hall is located, the walls were pushed out.

Before the building’s collapse there were a number of big events recently held including a snowmobile rally, curling bon spiel and a kids skating wind up event.

“It’s just a good thing no one was in the building when it happened.”

(Image Credit: Submitted/ Ryan Reid)

(Image Credit: Submitted/ Ryan Reid)

Jamie Jensen is on the community’s Recreation Board and also described the loss as devastating.

‘I think of my kids like that’s their second home; and the friendships that have been built there, the events that have been held there, the community bonding like so much happens in that building. Where do you even begin to think about the loss it has to everybody… it’s sad,” she said.

Hoping one day they can fundraise and one day build a new building, Jensen also acknowledged there’s many other community projects that have to be checked off the list and they don’t yet know what may be coffered.

 Jensen also noted a lot of fundraising just to keep it running.

 “It’s a beast of a building and it cost us a lot to keep the doors open.”

On the community’s social media page there’s been an outpouring of reaction.

“I spent countless hours on the ice there from playing pom pom pull away during public skating to landing my first axel,” Crystal Clarke wrote. “Not to mention every community event… dances, parties, celebrations, funerals. I probably learned to walk in the lobby. This past year was my first one as a hockey parent and every small-town barn I visited reminded me of ours.”

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell