Ammonia leak closes Riverfront Park’s skating ribbon for the weekend

The skating ribbon in Riverfront Park will be closed the rest of the weekend following discovery of an ammonia leak Saturday.

The Spokane Fire Department was called in to investigate the leak Saturday afternoon, and the decision was made to close the attraction as a precaution for the rest of the weekend, according to a news release from the city.

“It’s a new system. They want to make sure everything’s working properly,” said Marlene Feist, a spokeswoman for the city.

There were no injuries or exposures reported as a result of the leak, Feist said. The ice was evacuated after an alarm went off indicating the leak, Feist said.

Ammonia is used in the ice-making process for the attraction, which saw promising attendance in the first month but was also the site of a skater’s death in January.

Repairs are underway at the attraction, which cost more than $10 million to build. Firefighters are remaining on-scene throughout the process, the city said.

Some downtown roads were also closed as a result of the leak. Post Street between Spokane Falls and Summit boulevards, including the bridge, is closed. Spokane Falls Boulevard between Wall and Lincoln streets is also closed, but should open later Saturday night, the city said.

The ice ribbon was the first signature attraction of Riverfront Park’s signature $64.3 million redevelopment to open. Its first day of operation was Dec. 8 and has previously closed due to heavy snow.