By Nigel Maxwell

Melfort adopts new air horn policy

Jun 23, 2016 | 12:25 PM

Melfort city councillors are blowing the whistle on the use of some types of air horns at the Northern Lights Palace.

A motion passed by city council prohibits the use of any air horns that require being plugged in.

Mayor Rick Lang said these types of air horns were causing some big issues for the facility.

“What was happening was that they would link those into our system and it would cause the breakers to blow on the emergency lighting and then the existing batteries would have 30 minutes of back up use,” he said.

In addition to the threat of a power outage, there was also another safety issue. The cables used for these types of air horns were running across the walkway creating a potential tripping hazard.

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Lang assures fans the smaller air horns that use a compressed tube are still allowed, as well as trash can lids, so there should be plenty of noise at the rink during the hockey season.

He said council was not trying to limit noise at the arena, only attempting to improve safety and prevent a black out.

“You can imagine trying to evacuate 1,000 people out of the palace when it’s pitch black,” he said.  “People would say that’s never happened.  That’s right it never has but it only has to happen once.”

Before reaching its decision, councillors did approach other communities to see what their policy was regarding air horn use.

In Prince Albert, there is an air horn plugged into the house system at the Art Hauser Centre. The air horn has not caused any power issues.

Community Service Director Jody Boulet said the air horn policy used by the city is more focused on noise.

Fans are encouraged not to bring air horns to hockey games, and rather have just one centralized air horn.

nmaxwell@panow.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell